Swine Flu/H1N1

The first A(H1N1) related fatality was detected on April 2009 which claimed the life of Adela Maria Gutierrez Cruz, 39, in the city of San Luis Potosi, Oaxaca. However, as early as February this year, half of the population of La Gloria in Mexico started to develop influenza like illness. The authorities only began to pay attention of the outbreak on April 6 after more than 400 residents sought medical care for this illness. The residents claimed that the disease was brought from the surrounding commercial 72 pig farms due to poor farming practices.



Since Mexico reported its first case to the World Health Organization (WHO) on April 23, the virus has spread to 170 countries and territories worldwide, with 177,450 confirmed cases. (Text extracted from The Star - 16 August 2009). Recently, WHO also announced the global pandemic was on the way. WHO also predicted that 20% or 5 million of Malaysia populations would be contacted the disease if no serious precautions been taken.



Currently as of 18 August 2009, the death toll has raised to 67 and over 4000 cases reported. It is estimated that the death rate for Malaysia due to A(H1N1) is 1 in 60 cases compared to Singapore 1 in 111cases, Thailand is 1 in 119 cases and Indonesia is 1 in 168 cases. Malaysia has been the highest in the Asean region of fatality rate. This is an alarming figure and the condition is foresee to be worst when the raining monsoon makes its way from October to December.

What has happened? It seems that we perform poorly in dealing with the pandemic. Initially, when the disease was reported in April 2009, there was no alarm as everything was reported under control. Furthermore, the case was very far from our region, why worried. But we forgot that the disease is contagious and spread through human to human contact. Unlike the avian flu/bird flu which never record transmission person to person. We start to feel a bit worried when the first case was reported but it was imported case. A student studied in New York brought the disease during the summer break. For a while there was no local transmission reported as all were imported cases.

All media reported that things were under control. Even government has tightened up the entry points to KLIA by screening health of suspected cases. We were all backed to our comfort zone and felt relieved. Then the outbreak started, we had local transmission and death cases reported. Some schools and tertiary educations conduct quarantine.

The current development really gives us a wake up call...More and more people are self conscious as we can see daily the number of people wearing protective mask increases. However, the level of hygenic especially those attending schools still at poor stage.

One parent informed me that she forbids her kids from going to school this past weeks mainly due to hygenic issues. She claims that there is shortage of water supply to the school's facilities such as toilets and canteens. What about other schools or public places? I think Health or Education Ministry should look into this matter. Circulation should be handed out to schools and individuals to increase awareness and educate the importance of hygenic conscious.

Those who develop some kind of flu like symptoms should practice self quarantine at least 24 hours after the fever is gone. This is important as to avoid further spread through coughing and sneezing.

The virus can survive on environmental surfaces and infect a person within 2 to 8 hours after being deposited on the surface. So, as parents or caregivers, it is crucial to remind kids to wash their hands often (with soaps and water) and avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth as germs easily spread this way.

Having much to say about preventive measure, there is need to look for treatment to those who really have contacted the disease. The available antiviral at the moment is Tamiflu. Health Minister, Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, has directed all public and private hospital to administer immediate treatment to patients with flu like symptoms and high fever that persisted for more than 48 hours. This is a progress in treatment measure taken compared to previously, whereby the antiviral drug only been given to confirm cases only. Antiviral drugs work best if started early during contacting illness and might not work if exceed 48 hours. Gratitude to Dr. Saadah from a private hospital in Bangi who expressed her concern in Star column which led to this decision.

Opportunist Malaysians has taken this situation to their advantages. The price of mask has been increased to RM3 as reported in the media. I wonder how could we have the heart to do all this? At the same instances, those who deal with supplements also would approach indviduals under the pretext that the supplement would boost up our immunity system and so on. I leave this part to individual to make the wise decision....

Here, please find the you tube about kids singing the H1N1 ABC song which I think very sweet and will boost up our awareness....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcVivmcBi8M