H1N1: Malaysia 5th case

Published: Sunday August 2, 2009 MYT 9:14:00 AM

Tests confirm 10-year-old girl is fifth A(H1N1) death

KUALA LUMPUR: The post mortem report of a 10-year-old who died in Perak on Friday showed that she was influenza A(H1N1) positive.

This made her the confirmed fifth death for the flu in the country.

Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Mohd Ismail Merican said tests on phlegm taken from the girl by the Institute of Medical Research (IMR) showed that the girl from Bagan Serai, Perak had the H1N1 virus.

"The latest case brings the number of deaths due to influenza A (HINI) to five. According to information received, the girl had been ill since July 27 but she did not suffer from any breathing problems when she received outpatient treatment at a private clinic," he said in a statement here last night.

Dr Mohd Ismail said on the night of July 28, the girl had complained of breathing difficulties and received treatment at a Bagan Serai health clinic the next day and while receiving treatment, she was in stable condition and did not complain of breathing difficulties or cyanosis and was given outpatient treatment including antibiotics and cough medicine.

However, on Friday morning at 3am, she complained of breathing difficulties, fever and cough before arriving at the Bagan Serai Health Clinic for treatment but while receiving treatment, she passed out and was pronounced dead at 5.30am.

The post mortem done at the Alor Setar Hospital revealed that she had died of severe pneumonic changes.

He added that the girl's parents had also undergone tests and cleared of any disease while her five other siblings had slight breathing difficulties but were in stable condition.

Dr Mohd Ismail added that initial investigations revealed that there were no reports of Influenza Like Illness in the area, including the school where the girl was from but the district Health Department had been asked to monitor the situation closely. - Bernama

Source: The Star