H1N1

i received an email from supp, miri... =)

its telling somethings about H1N1...

here it is, please have a read on it, since Malaysia is exposing to it lately...

(especially for Swinburne's student, because i study in Swinburne, Kuching) =X

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The current influenza global outbreak, which was first reported from Mexico in April 2009 is caused by a new strain of the influenza virus. On 30 April 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) termed it as Influenza A (H1N1).

Earlier on 29 April, the WHO upgraded its pandemic alert phase level to "Phase 5", which is defined as "...human-to-human spread of the virus into at least two countries in one WHO region". The declaration of Phase 5 is a strong indication that a pandemic is imminent.

Until 24 June 2009, 99 countries have officially reported 53,110 cases of influenza A (H1N1) infection, including 232 deaths. In Malaysia, there are cumulatively 80 confirmed cases of which 69 are imported cases and the other 11 cases were transmitted locally.

In view of the above, the public is advised to practice the following good habits:
1. Should you be feeling poorly, especially if you returned from an overseas trip and from one of the thirteen affected countries (Mexico, USA, Canada, Australia, Japan, Chile, United Kingdom, Argentina, Thailand, Spain, Philippines, Panama and Dominican Republic), you should take the responsibility to seek medical treatment and implement a self-quarantine by staying home, and also avoid infecting others;
2. On a daily basis, you should practice good and healthy habits like; washing and/or sanitizing your hands properly especially if you should be visiting and coming into contact with people and public facilities. Listed below are some various documents from the Ministry of Health, Malaysia and WHO for your kind perusal and understanding.
• Travel Advisory by Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH)
• Influenza A (H1N1) Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) issued by Ministry of Health Malaysia
• Keep your hands clean (MOH - brochure)
• Cough etiquette (MOH - brochure (in BM))
• What you need to know? (MOH - brochure in BM)
• Epidemic and Pandemic Alert & Response (EPR) - WHO
• Influenza A (H1N1) - Strategies & Activities During Phase 6 (MOH)

All these documents are available at Ministry of Health, Malaysia website: http://www.moh.gov.my/MohPortal/index.jsp

3. Should you display any symptoms like coughing, high fever, running nose, phlegm, spitting, difficulty in breathing, please seek medical advise and avoid attending any functions in public area.
Travel to the affected countries should be POSTPONED*. If you have to travel, please observe the following measures:
• Keep informed of the areas with outbreaks or high incidence of Influenza A (H1N1). Avoid crowded places.
• Avoid direct contact with Influenza A (H1N1) cases. If you need to be in close contact with cases of Influenza A (H1N1), use an appropriate protective mask.
• Observe good personal hygiene at all times. Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze. Wash your hands with soap and water.
• If you fall ill, please seek IMMEDIATE treatment.If you have recently returned from a Influenza A (H1N1) affected area, you should avoid close contact with other people for 7 days.

If within this period you develop flu-like symptoms such as fever and any one of these - cough, difficulty in breathing, body ache, headache or sore throat, you should IMMEDIATELY seek treatment from the nearest doctor.

Inform the doctor that you have visited the Influenza A (H1N1) affected country/area.