Precautionary measures and awareness programmes carried out by the authorities to combat the spread of Influenza A (H1N1), has resulted in disease remaining under control throughout the country, since no deaths were recorded since Sept 19.

NONE Director-General of Health Dr Mohd Ismail Merican said the death toll due to Influenza A(H1N1) remained at 77 since Sept 19.

However, 40 new Influenza Like Illness (ILI) cases were admitted while 97 were discharged.

"The new admissions have raised the number ILI cases treated at 86 hospitals, including five private hospitals, throughout the country, to 704," he said in a statement today.

Mohd Ismail said from the total receiving treatment, 113 or 16 percent were tested positive for H1N1 and 17 or them admitted at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

All those admitted to the ICU were in high-risk groups, comprising children below five years old (eight), obesity (four), chronic illness (three) and chronic respiratory illness (two), he added.

He said the H1N1 pandemic was still active and advised the public to seek immediate treatment should they have ILI.

Good air quality overall

In another matter, there was a slightly drop in the number of areas which recorded good air quality in the country.

Twenty-nine areas recorded good Air Pollutant Index (API) readings compared with 32 yesterday while 21 areas remained moderate.

According to the Department of Environment (DoE) website, the areas that recorded moderate readings were Miri (57), Kuching (60), Bintulu (63), Sarikei (72), Samarahan (76) Kapit (82), Sri Aman (95) in Sarawak, Larkin Lama (51), Kota Tinggi (56), Muar (55), Pasir Gudang (53) in Johor; Sandakan (56), Tawau (95) Labuan (57) in Sabah.

Port Klang (61), Kuala Selangor (53) in Selangor; Kuala Terengganu (52) in Terengganu; Balok Baru (56), Jerantut (52) in Pahang; Nilai (53) in Negeri Sembilan; Tanah Merah (53) in Kelantan also recorded moderate API readings.

However, no areas recorded unhealthy readings.

A reading of 0-50 indicates good air quality, 51-100 (moderate), 101-200 (unhealthy), 201-300 (very unhealthy) and 300 and above (hazardous).

- Bernama