H1N1 rears its ugly head in Sabah

The Sabah Health Department has confirmed it had detected eight cases of Influenza A H1N1 in the state this month.

Its director Dr Christina Rundi said seven of the cases involved five children and two adults at Wad Melur 2 of the Sabah Women and Children’s Hospital in Likas.

The other case was reported in Sandakan.

“Screening was conducted on 31 people suspected to have been exposed and 10 Nasopharyngeal Aspirate Respiratory Syncytial Virus (NPA RSV) samples were taken for testing.

“The results confirmed seven patients were positive for A H1N1. They had also showed cough, fever and flu symptoms. All of them were receiving treatment and are in stable condition,” she said.

Among the immediate measures taken by the department were administering anti-virus shots to the infected patients, expanding the screening process to all that had been in contact with them and disinfecting the ward.

Other precautionary measures include isolating the ward and screening all staff members.

Dr Christina said an operations room had since been activated at the hospital on Feb 4 to contain the situation and prevent it from spreading.

“H1N1 cases are reported each year in Sabah and the figures have shown a decrease since 2010. In 2009, 944 cases of H1N1 were reported and the figures dropped to 145 cases in 2010, 26 cases in 2011, 15 cases in 2012 and six cases last year,” she said.