Rosnah: M’sia still faces risk of second wave of H1N1

KOTA KINABALU: Although the second wave of H1N1 has not reached the country yet, the public is advised to continue to be cautious as Influenza A (H1N1) is still active.

Deputy Health Minister Datuk Rosnah Abdul Rashid Shirlin said the number of H1N1 cases admitted to the hospitals has reduced to 30 to 40 per cent but that does not mean that Malaysia would be free from the second wave, which is already hitting several other countries.

“We are grateful that it (second wave) has not reached us but we cannot declare that Malaysia is H1NI-free as there are still cases reported in some states. We cannot be complacent,” she said after launching the Second International Conference on Rural Medicine, here, yesterday.

However, she said the number of deaths remains at 77 since a few months ago.

On related developments, she said Sabah had received the first batch of 2,000 doses of vaccine from the total 400,000 doses ordered by the ministry from a UK company.

“By January, we should be able to get the whole lot allocated for Sabah, which is 20,000 doses, Rosnah said, adding that Sabah is not one of the high-risk states compared to Selangor and Kuala Lumpur.

She assured that should the need arise, the ministry was ready to order more vaccine as the 400,000 doses were meant to cover the current situation.

As less people were wearing masks now, Rosnah said the high-risk groups and potential carriers (who show symptoms) must continue to take precautionary measures.