No death related to influenza A (H1N1) was reported yesterday while 96 cases with symptoms of influenza were hospitalised, said health director-general Dr Mohd Ismail Merican.

He said 65 cases had been discharged and from the number being treated for influenza-like illness (ILI), only 177 patients or one-third had been confirmed to be H1N1 cases and 26 of them were being treated at intensive care units (ICUs).

The balance of ILI cases were being treated at 80 hospitals, including nine private hospitals, nationwide totalled 618 cases, Mohd Merican said.

"No new H1N1 death has been reported and the total remained at 77 deaths," he said in a statement today.

Among the H1N1 cases being treated at ICUs are nine children aged below five, five chronic patients and two pregnant women.

At the global level, the World Health Organisation reported that up to last Friday, a total of 296,471 H1N1 cases were reported worldwide with 3,486 deaths.

Beware of the monsoon season

Meanwhile, the Gerakan party said the public should continue taking precautions to combat the H1N1 virus in view of the coming inter-monsoon season.

The party's head of central bureau on public health and social development Dr Ng Keong Chye said the coming months, starting from October, would be cooler, thus allowing the virus to spread easily.

"The public should wear face masks and avoid going to crowded public places or attend closed-door events. They should practise personal hygiene and wash their hands regularly," said Ng, who is also Ketari state assemblyperson.

He also advised the public to avoid going to countries with winter season.

Scientists have confirmed that flu spreads best in cold, dry weather. It appears the virus last longer in cold, dry air and our sluggish, cold-weather mucus cannot clear it out, he said in a statement.

- Bernama