WORLD> Asia-Pacific
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WORLD> Asia-Pacific
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A(H1N1) flu takes new death tolls in Asia-Pacific region
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-06-28 09:19 So far, Malaysia recorded a total of 16 locally transmitted cases of A(H1N1) flu, he added. Vietnam's Ministry of Health confirmed eight more A(H1N1) flu cases, raising the total number of infections in the country to 84, local online newspaper the Youth reported Saturday. Vietnam has so far confirmed 84 cases, including 73 in southern provinces, seven in northern and four in central provinces. Among those, there are nine human-to-human transmission cases. A total of 32 patients had been discharged from hospitals, said the report.
The region housing the largest number of influenza A(H1N1) patients is Wellington, with 173 cases, followed by Auckland, 140, then Canterbury who has 128 people with the virus. Hong Kong SAR government announced to have confirmed 33 new cases of A(H1N1) influenza in the 24 hours by 2:30 pm Saturday, bringing the total number of A(H1N1) influenza cases to 629 in the city. Its Department of Health and the Hospital Authority (HA) is pondering to adjust mitigation phase measures against the A(H1N1) Influenza, a government spokesman said on Saturday. The new measures would formally take effect on June 29 and preparatory work was now being undertaken, the spokesman said. "Most recent data show that HSI (human swine influenza A(H1N1)) has become the dominant strain of influenza virus in Hong Kong, making up more than 70 percent of all influenza viruses. About one in eight patients seen at the HA's Designated Flu Clinics are tested positive for HSI. These data prove that HSI is widely circulating in the community," said the spokesman. "Since HSI is now widely circulating, measures such as patient isolation and contact tracing are no longer efficient in reducing transmission. Priority is now accorded to disease surveillance and management of clinically more severe cases," the spokesman said. "Clinical specimens will continue to be collected at Designated Flu Clinics and public hospitals to monitor the activity of HSI in the community on a daily basis," he added. Meanwhile, temperature screening, health declarations and broadcast of health messages at the control points would remain unchanged. The spokesman said starting June 29, travelers with mild symptoms and intercepted at all boundary control points would be provided with face mask and guidance notes for seeking medical consultation. "As for severe case, Port Health Officers will take them to public hospitals by ambulance for medical examination," he said. In Macao SAR, one more confirmed case of influenza A(H1N1) was reported on Saturday, bringing the total number of such cases to 16. The newly confirmed case was imported, concerning a 24-year-old Chinese mainland resident who arrived in Macao on June 5 and traveled to Philippine between June 21 and 22, according to Macao's Health Bureau. He showed flu symptoms after returning to Macao on June 23.
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