A H1N1 Pandemic in Malaysia-Part 1

To date, the pandemic has infected 1,983 people and killed 32 locally while the world lays its swine flu defences.

As for Malaysia, the government will launch a large-scale Awareness Campaign On H1N1.

Najib said the government would not impose any travel ban as this was a global pandemic.

He added that the anti-viral stock would be increased from the current 10 per cent of the population to 20 per cent, involving an additional allocation of RM20 million.


Meanwhile, Liow told reporters that the ministry was planning to rope in private medical practitioners to help contain the spread of the disease.

"The Health Ministry, through the hospitals and clinics, will supply the anti-viral drug more widely so that more people can get the injections to help prevent a more virulent strain of the virus," he said.

But what saddened me most in spite of all these defences been laid down , we still have cases like what is reported by The STAR on 30 July 2009

DAD: I thought it was just flu

MALACCA: Ramli Abdul Aziz thought his daughter was suffering from the common flu, especially since she had caught it from her brother who had recovered from a bout of flu.

The 45-year-old was still in grief and shock after the death of his daughter.

Still in shock: Ramli showing a picture of his daughter Nur Syazwana who died from the influenza A (H1N1) on Tuesday.

She was the country’s fourth A (H1N1) fatality.

“I thought that she had a normal flu and did not think that it would lead to her death. If I had known that her illness was this serious, maybe there would still have been a chance for her to live after treatment,” he said of Nur Syazwana Ramli, 20, who passed away on Tuesday.

http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/7/30/ah1n1flu/4418462&sec=ah1n1flu

Was this a case of negligence by the doctors for failing to detect the infection , ignorance of the public or lack of information about A H1N1 flu?

In order not to confuse ourselves with what is a common flu vs H1N1 flu, let me share some findings by Dr. Simon Chong , K.N.Chin & Associates about THE MYTH AND FACTS OF FLU

This is how that deadly H1N1 virus look like!!!

Facts about H1N1 virus !!!!





Its something we can`t take it lightly if you know the history of the past pandemics !!!






Such an easy way of transmission !!!!!

The individual way of prevention...





Can flu vaccination help?



What is the type of treatment used?

Even though there is no travel ban yet but travelers please take heed!!!!



and to the general public ...




So the basic thing is to practice good personal hygience.

But understanding the scenario is also crucial so as not to panic like what Liow said:

"The important thing is to control the situation together by maintaining personal hygiene and taking certain steps like self-quarantine, social distancing and getting immediate treatment for the symptoms."

Last week, Liow ordered all the public and private clinics and hospitals to use rapid influenza screening tests for those who displayed the symptoms as part of the additional strategies to contain the spread.

What about what other countries are doing to contain this pandemic? What can an individual do ?- See A H1N1 Pandemic Part 2