health minister confirms another death, totalling 69 to date...

Sejumlah 306 pesakit baru dengan gejala influenza-like illness (ILI) telah dimasukkan ke hospital untuk rawatan dan dalam masa yang sama sejumlah 300 pesakit ILI telah didiscaj keluar menjadikan baki seramai 1,455 pesakit ILI sedang menerima rawatan di 85 buah hospital termasuk 4 hospital swasta di seluruh negara. Untuk makluman daripada jumlah pesakit yang sedang dirawat, hanya 285 pesakit (19.6%) yang disahkan positif H1N1.

Dari 285 kes yang disahkan H1N1, 39 kes berada di ICU di mana 2 kes merupakan kemasukan baru sementara 2 kes dipindah keluar dari ICU. Daripada 39 kes yang sedang dirawat di ICU, 33 kes (85%) mempunyai faktor risiko iaitu penyakit kronik (9), obesiti (8), diabetes (7), kanak-kanak/bayi (5), penyakit respiratori kronik (2), postnatal (1) dan Sindrom Down (1).

Untuk makluman, satu kematian didaftarkan pada hari ini menjadikan jumlah keseluruhan adalah 69 kematian. Kematian yang didaftar pada hari ini melibatkan seorang wanita berusia 38 tahun. Kes telah mendapatkan rawatan di klinik swasta pada 13 Ogos 2009 bagi gejala demam dan batuk selama 2 hari, ujian rapid test mendapati positif influenza A rawatan simptomatik telah diberikan tetapi tamiflu tidak diberi. Lima (5) hari kemudian pada 18 Ogos 2009 pesakit mendapatkan rawatan di hospital swasta kerana secara tiba-tiba mengalami sukar bernafas dan cyanosis. (is this failure to appreciate severity? -ed) Beliau terus dirujuk ke Hospital Kuala Lumpur (HKL) untuk rawatan di Unit Rawatan Rapi HKL. Swab tekak telah diambil pada 18 Ogos 2009 dan rawatan tamiflu dimulakan. Walaubagaimanapun beliau telah meninggal dunia pada 19 Ogos 2009 dengan sebab kematian adalah pneumonia with ARDS. Keputusan swab tekak mengesahkan positif bagi influenza A(H1N1) pada 20 Ogos 2009. (Another one without apparent risk factors, perhaps late detection? -ed)

press release excerpt by the dg of health, 23.08.09....

Sejumlah 306 pesakit baru dengan gejala influenza-like illness (ILI) telah dimasukkan ke hospital untuk rawatan dan dalam masa sejumlah 306 pesakit ILI telah didiscaj keluar menjadikan baki seramai 1,476 pesakit ILI sedang menerima rawatan di 102 buah hospital termasuk 2 hospital swasta di seluruh negara. Untuk makluman daripada jumlah pesakit yang sedang dirawat, hanya 272 pesakit (18%) yang disahkan positif H1N1.

Dari 272 kes yang disahkan H1N1, 39 kes berada di ICU di mana 2 kes merupakan kemasukan baru sementara 3 kes dipindah keluar dari ICU. Daripada 39 kes yang sedang dirawat di ICU, 33 kes (85%) mempunyai faktor risiko iaitu penyakit kronik (10), obesiti (8), diabetes (7), kanak-kanak/bayi (4), penyakit respiratori kronik (2), postnatal (1) dan Sindrom Down (1).

Untuk makluman, tiada kematian baru yang disahkan akibat jangkitan influenza A(H1N1) didaftarkan pada hari ini.

dg of health press statement on 21.08.09.......

New information on where to get Tamiflu supplies, but please, there's no need for prophylactic use of the antiviral, other than when prescribed by your medical practitioner.

Dimaklumkan sehingga 21 Ogos 2009 jam 9.00 pagi, sejumlah 257 kes baru dengan gejala influenza-like illness (ILI) telah dimasukkan ke hospital, manakala 234 kes telah didiscaj keluar menjadikan baki seramai 1556 kes sedang dirawat di 98 buah hospital termasuk 3 hospital swasta di seluruh negara. Dari jumlah ini, hanya 220 kes (14%) yang disahkan positif H1N1.

Dari 220 kes yang disahkan H1N1, 44 kes berada di ICU di mana 12 kes merupakan kemasukan baru sementara 3 kes dipindah keluar dari ICU. Daripada 44 kes yang sedang dirawat di ICU, 20 kes (45%) mempunyai faktor risiko iaitu penyakit kronik (7), hamil dan bersalin (4), bayi (4), asma (2), obesiti (2) dan kanak-kanak istimewa (1).

Untuk makluman, tiada kematian baru yang disahkan akibat jangkitan influenza A(H1N1) dilaporkan pada hari ini.

Mengikut laporan Pertubuhan Kesihatan Sedunia (WHO), penularan pandemik H1N1 di dunia masih lagi aktif dan melibatkan 182 buah negara. Sehingga 21 Ogos 2009 jam 8.00 pagi, terdapat peningkatan kes jangkitan influenza A(H1N1) sebanyak 2073 kes menjadikan jumlah kes terkumpul 233,342 dengan peningkatan kes kematian sebanyak 46 menjadikan jumlah kematian terkumpul 2,399.

Kementerian Kesihatan mengambil maklum kesukaran mendapatkan bekalan ubat antiviral pada masa kini. Oleh itu, orang ramai boleh mendapatkan bekalan ubat antiviral dari fasiliti kesihatan swasta yang menyertai rangkaian Klinik Cegah dan Rawat H1N1 yang telah dilancarkan oleh Yang Berhormat Menteri Kesihatan Malaysia pada 20 Ogos 2009. Ianya boleh diperolehi pada harga tidak melebihi RM80.00. Bagi fasiliti kesihatan swasta yang ingin menyertai rangkaian tersebut, sila layari http://www.h1n1.net.my/ untuk maklumat lanjut.

press statement by director general of health 19.08.09.....

Dimaklumkan sehingga 19 Ogos 2009 jam 9.00 pagi sejumlah 1468 pesakit influenza like illness (ILI) sedang dirawat di 86 buah hospital termasuk 6 hospital swasta di seluruh negara. Dari jumlah tersebut, 257 telah disahkan positif H1N1. Pada masa yang sama seramai 134 kes telah di discaj.

Dari 257 kes yang disahkan H1N1, 36 kes berada di ICU dimana 7 kes merupakan kemasukan baru sementara 4 kes dipindah keluar dari ICU. Daripada 36 kes yang sedang dirawat di ICU, 21 kes (58%) mempunyai faktor risiko iaitu diabetes (5), penyakit kronik (4), asma (3), hamil dan bersalin (3), obesiti (2), kanak-kanak istimewa (2) dan kanak – kanak di bawah setahun (2).

Untuk makluman, tiada kematian baru yang disahkan akibat jangkitan influenza A(H1N1) dilaporkan pada hari ini.

Kementerian Kesihatan mendapati masih ramai pesakit yang mengalami jangkitan influenza A(H1N1) yang tidak memberi kerjasama yang baik dalam mengawal penularan influenza A(H1N1). Berikut adalah saranan yang dianjurkan oleh Kementerian Kesihatan untuk membendung penularan penyakit ini :-

1. Orang ramai yang mempunyai simptom influenza perlulah lebih bertanggungjawab untuk tidak mengunjungi tempat-tempat awam seperti pusat membeli-belah, melancong, pergi ke tempat kerja atau sekolah serta menaiki kenderaan awam. Perbuatan ini boleh menularkan jangkitan influenza A(H1N1) kepada orang awam dan kebimbangan adalah jangkitan kepada mereka dari kumpulan berisiko.
2. Mereka yang bersimptom influenza walaupun ringan, masih boleh disebarkan kepada orang lain apabila mereka ini batuk atau bersin. Oleh itu sesiapa yang mempunyai simptom influenza mesti berada dirumah atau jangan mengunjungi tempat awam, tempat kerja atau sekolah sehingga tiada bersimptom lagi.
3. Sekiranya mereka yang bersimptom tapi perlu juga melakukan aktiviti luar rumah yang amat mustahak, mereka mestilah memakai topeng muka dan mengamalkan kebersihan diri sepanjang masa.

Kementerian Kesihatan ingin menjelaskan sekali lagi bahawa rawatan antiviral hanya diberikan kepada 3 kumpulan berikut tanpa perlu menjalani ujian pengesahan influenza A(H1N1):

1. Individu yang mempunyai simptom influenza-like illness (ILI) dan mempunyai faktor risiko.
2. Individu yang mempunyai simptom ILI, tanpa mempunyai faktor risiko tetapi mempunyai demam yang tinggi (>38°C) berpanjangan (lebih daripada 2 hari).
3. Individu yang telah menjalani ujian “rapid test” serta didapati positif, mereka akan diberikan rawatan antiviral jika mengalami simptom jangkitan menjadi teruk dalam masa 48 jam.

Orang ramai juga terus diminta untuk sentiasa mengikut nasihat Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia dan mendapatkan rawatan segera bagi mereka yang mengalami simptom dan berisiko tinggi untuk mendapat komplikasi akibat jangkitan Influenza A(H1N1). Maklumat dan perkembangan semasa jangkitan influenza A(H1N1) boleh diperolehi melalui talian hotline yang beroperasi dari jam 8.00 pagi hingga 5.30 petang di talian 03-­88810200 dan 03-­88810300. Maklumat terkini juga boleh didapati daripada laman web Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia http://www.moh.gov.my dan http://h1n1.moh.gov.my.

Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia mengucapkan terima kasih di atas kerjasama orang ramai. Tindakan tepat anda dapat membantu kami memberi perkhidmatan yang berkesan.

Sekian, terima kasih.

TAN SRI DATO’ SERI DR. HJ. MOHD. ISMAIL BIN MERICAN
Ketua Pengarah Kesihatan Malaysia

Tarikh: 19 Ogos 2009

press statement by director general of health.........

Untuk makluman, terdapat seramai 72 pesakit H1N1 sedang dirawat di wad dan 27 lagi dirawat di ICU. Daripada 27 kes yang berada di Unit Rawatan Rapi, 18 daripada mereka mempunyai faktor risiko iaitu penyakit kronik (10), obesiti (4),kanak-kanak (2), hamil (1) dan post-delivery (1). Terdapat sejumlah 5 kematian yang dilaporkan.

Empat(4) daripada kes kematian mempunyai faktor risiko, iaitu obes, diabetes dan TB paru-paru (1 kes ), Diabetes(1 kes) dan bayi (2 kes). Untuk makluman, 5 kematian tersebut berlaku pada 8 Ogos (1kes),11 Ogos (2 kes) dan 12 Ogos (2 kes). Maklumat ringkas kematian adalah seperti berikut:

1. Seorang bayi lelaki berumur 2 bulan merupakan seorang bayi yang dilahirkan tidak cukup bulan iaitu pada usia kandungan 27 minggu, dimasukkan ke hospital pada 3/8/09 kerana demam, batuk, selsema dan susah bernafas selama tiga hari. Keadaan bayi semakin teruk dan telah diventilasi. Swab tekak telah diambil dan rawatan antiviral telah diberikan pada 6/8/2009. Bayi meninggal dunia pada 12/8/2009 dan ujian Influenza A(H1N1) adalah positif. Penyebab kematian adalah pneumonia. (Extreme of age-Ed)
   
2. Seorang lagi bayi berumur 2 bulan dimasukkan ke hospital pada 7/8/2009 setelah didapati berada dalam keadaan tidak memberikan tindakbalas serta pucat. Sebelum dari itu, bayi tersebut telah mula meragam dan kurang minum susu semenjak 5/8/2009 tetapi tidak mempunyai demam, batuk atau sesak nafas. Keadaan bayi adalah kritikal dan dimasukkan ke Unit Rawaan Rapi. Keputusan ujian Influenza A(H1N1) didapati positif pada 8/8/2009, walaubagaimanapun, bayi tersebut telah meninggal dunia pada hari yang sama. Sebab Myocarditis, hepatitis and renal impairment related to H1N1. (Extreme of age - Ed)
   
3. Seorang wanita berumur 49 tahun, selain dari obes, beliau mempunyai diabetes dan dikesan juga mempunyai tuberkulosis. Beliau mula mendapat demam, batuk, sakit tekak dan sesak nafas pada pertengahan bulan Julai dan kemudiannya dimasukkan ke hospital pada 29/7/2009 setelah tidak pulih walaupun telah mendapatkan rawatan dari klinik swasta. Beliau yang dirawat sebagai pneumonia telah di benarkan pulang pada 3/8/2009, walaubagaimanapun dimasukkan semula ke wad pada 7/8/2009 untuk rawatan tuberculosis setelah dikesan mempunyai penyakit tersebut. Beliau kemudiannya disyaki H1N1 dah telah diberi antiviral pada 8/8/2009. Keadaan pesakit bertambah teruk dan meninggal dunia pada 11/8/2009. Sebab kematian adalah pneumonia teruk. Walaubagaimanapun, keputusan ujian bagi Influenza A(H1N1) yang diterima pada 11/8/2009 didapati positif. (Tuberculosis, Obese and Diabetic - Ed)
   
4. Seorang lelaki berumur 57 tahun dan mempunyai diabetes. Mula mendapat simptom batuk dan selesema pada 2/7/2009 tetapi tidak sembuh setelah mendapatkan rawatan. Pada 3/8/2009, sekali lagi pesakit pergi mendapatkan rawatan di klinik setelah mengalami demam, muntah dan cirit-birit dan seterusnya dirujuk dan dimasukkan ke hospital pada hari yang sama di mana beliau telah diberikan rawatan anti-viral. Ujian bagi influenza A (H1N1) didapati positif pada 5/8/2009 dan beliau telah meninggal dunia pada 12/8/2009 akibat sepsis disebabkan pneumonia. (Diabetic -Ed)
   
5. Seorang lelaki berumur 19 tahun, dimasukkan ke wad pada 7/8/2009 setelah demam dan batuk selama dua (2) hari dan telah diberikan rawatan antiviral. Ujian bagi Influenza A(H1N1) didapati positif pada keesokan harinya. Beliau telah mendapat sesak nafas teruk dan meninggal dunia pada 11/8/2009 akibat pneumonia. (no risk factors noted for this chap-Ed)
   

Jumlah kematian telah melibatkan bilangan yang tinggi iaitu 56 kes. Saya ingin memaklumkan bahawa majoriti kematian ini mempunyai faktor-faktor penyumbang kematian seperti faktor risiko kesihatan(70%) di samping itu juga daripada jumlah kematian tersebut, sebanyak 40% didapati mempunyai faktor kelewatan mendapat rawatan awal dan sebanyak 13% kematian, didapati ada unsur kelewatan pengesanan oleh pengamal perubatan. Oleh yang demikian saya berpendapat, ada diantara kematian ini dapat dielak sekiranya pesakit dan pengamal perubatan lebih peka dan mengambil tindakan sewajarnya dengan segera.

Kadar penularan influenza A(H1N1) di dalam komuniti adalah tinggi dan ini dapat dilihat daripada ramainya pesakit yang datang ke hospital dan klinik untuk mendapatkan rawatan. Saya meminta orang awam terutama mereka yang bersimptom jangkitan influenza mengambil tindakan yang berikut :

1. Mereka yang bersimptom selepas menerima rawatan hendaklah berehat di rumah jika tidak dimasukkan ke hospital untuk rawatan. Pergerakan pesakit bersimptom ke tempat awam atau tempat kerja akan menambahkan kes penularan ke dalam komuniti. Mereka yang bersimptom mudah menularkan jangkitan kepada individu yang sihat yang berada dekat dengan mereka sama ada melalui batuk, bersin atau sentuhan cecair batuk/bersin.

2. Di sekolah atau tempat kerja, individu yang bersimptom influenza dinasihati agar segera mendapatkan rawatan dan berehat dirumah sehingga sembuh. Mereka dinasihati agar tidak bekerja atau datang ke sekolah bagi mengelakkan penularan jangkitan influenza A(H1N1). Guru besar atau Ketua tempat kerja hendaklah melakukan saringan harian bagi memastikan individu yang bersimptom tidak meneruskan bekerja atau menghadiri kelas. Jika terdapat kes dari saringan tersebut, mereka hendaklan dirujuk ke hospital atau klinik. Mereka yang tidak mempunyai simptom boleh meneruskan aktiviti harian mereka di sekolah ataupun tempat kerja seperti biasa.

3. Saya menasihatkan semua ibubapa atau penjaga untuk memastikan anak mereka yang mempunyai gejala influenza supaya tidak hadir ke sekolah bagi mengurangkan penularan jangkitan ini agar tidak menggangu aktiviti pembelajaran di sekolah.

Orang ramai terus diminta untuk sentiasa mengikut nasihat Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia dan mendapatkan rawatan segera bagi mereka yang mengalami simptom dan berisiko tinggi untuk mendapat komplikasi akibat jangkitan Influenza A(H1N1). Maklumat dan perkembangan semasa jangkitan influenza A(H1N1) boleh diperolehi melalui talian hotline yang beroperasi dari jam 8.00 pagi hingga 5.30 petang di talian 03-­88810200 dan 03-­88810300. Maklumat terkini juga boleh didapati daripada laman web Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia http://www.moh.gov.my dan http://h1n1.moh.gov.my.

Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia mengucapkan terima kasih di atas kerjasama orang ramai. Tindakan tepat anda dapat membantu kami memberi perkhidmatan yang berkesan.

Sekian, terima kasih.

TAN SRI DATO’ SERI DR. HJ. MOHD. ISMAIL BIN MERICAN
Ketua Pengarah Kesihatan Malaysia

Tarikh: 14 Ogos 2009

press statement about h1n1 on 11th august............

Pada 11 Ogos 2009 sejumlah 270 kes baru influenza A(H1N1) termasuk 6 kes kematian dilaporkan. Kesemuanya adalah kes tempatan yang terdiri daripada warga negara Malaysia.

Jumlah terkumpul kes influenza A(H1N1) di Malaysia sehingga 11 Ogos 2009 adalah sebanyak 2,253 kes dengan jumlah kematian 38 orang.

Untuk makluman, pada masa ini terdapat seramai 48 pesakit sedang dirawat di hospital dan 11 lagi dirawat di ICU. Daripada 11 kes yang berada di Unit Rawatan Rapi, 4 daripada mereka mempunyai faktor risiko iaitu penyakit kronik (2), obesiti (1) dan post -delivery (1). Seramai 11 orang telah didiscaj dari hospital semalam.

Untuk makluman, 6 kematian adalah kematian yang berlaku terdahulu dan hanya disahkan ada mendapat jangkitan H1N1 pada 6, 8 dan 9 Ogos 2009, dilaporkan pada 10 Ogos 2009 secara formal sebagai kes-kes kematian yang ada kaitan dengan jangkitan influenza A(H1N1). Empat (4) daripada kes kematian ini didapati mempunyai faktor risiko samada Diabetes, Hipertensi atau Asma. Tarikh kematian sebenar 6 kes tersebut adalah seperti berikut, 4 Ogos (1), 6 Ogos (2) dan 7 Ogos(3).

Merujuk kepada situasi global, sehingga 11 Ogos 2009, sejumlah 208,990 kes dengan 1,716 kematian telah dilaporkan daripada 174 negara. Ia merupakan peningkatan sebanyak 835 kes dengan 28 kematian berbanding dengan hari sebelumnya.

Source: moh.gov.my

health minister's press statement as of 10th august.....

The apparent sudden of increase in deaths is because of late confirmation on the cause of death for some cases, not that all the deaths happen on the same day. No need to panic - Ed.

Kes - Kes Baru: 203 Kes - Kes Import: 0 Kes Jangkitan Tempatan: 203 Kes Kematian: 6
Jumlah Kes di Malaysia: 1,983 dengan jumlah kematian 32 orang.

Untuk makluman, pada masa ini terdapat seramai 67 pesakit sedang dirawat di hospital dan seramai 15 lagi dirawat di ICU. Daripada 15 kes yang berada di Unit Rawatan Rapi, 6 daripada mereka mempunyai faktor risiko iaitu penyakit kronik (3), obesiti (1), post -delivery (1) dan bayi (1).

Untuk makluman, 6 kematian yang dimaksudkan hanya satu (1) kematian yang berlaku pada 9 Ogos 2009, manakala yang lain adalah kematian yang berlaku terdahulu dan hanya disahkan ada mendapat jangkitan H1N1 pada 7 dan 8 Ogos 2009, dilaporkan pada 9 Ogos 2009 secara formal sebagai kes-kes kematian yang ada kaitan dengan jangkitan influenza A(H1N1). Empat (4) daripada kes kematian ini didapati mempunyai faktor risiko. Tarikh kematian sebenar 6 kes tersebut adalah seperti berikut 5 Ogos (2), 8 Ogos (3) dan 9 Ogos(1).

Sehingga 10 Ogos 2009, sejumlah 208,155 kes dengan 1,688 kematian telah dilaporkan daripada 174 negara. Ia merupakan peningkatan sebanyak 1066 kes dengan 100 kematian berbanding dengan hari sebelumnya.

Pada 10 Ogos 2009 sejumlah 203 kes baru influenza A(H1N1) termasuk 6 kes kematian dilaporkan. Kesemuanya adalah kes tempatan yang terdiri daripada warga negara Malaysia.

Jumlah terkumpul kes influenza A(H1N1) di Malaysia sehingga 10 Ogos 2009 adalah sebanyak 1983 kes dengan jumlah kematian 32 orang.

Untuk makluman, pada masa ini terdapat seramai 67 pesakit sedang dirawat di hospital dan seramai 15 lagi dirawat di ICU. Daripada 15 kes yang berada di Unit Rawatan Rapi, 6 daripada mereka mempunyai faktor risiko iaitu penyakit kronik (3), obesiti (1), post -delivery (1) dan bayi (1).

Untuk makluman, 6 kematian yang dimaksudkan hanya satu (1) kematian yang berlaku pada 9 Ogos 2009, manakala yang lain adalah kematian yang berlaku terdahulu dan hanya disahkan ada mendapat jangkitan H1N1 pada 7 dan 8 Ogos 2009, dilaporkan pada 9 Ogos 2009 secara formal sebagai kes-kes kematian yang ada kaitan dengan jangkitan influenza A(H1N1). Empat (4) daripada kes kematian ini didapati mempunyai faktor risiko. Tarikh kematian sebenar 6 kes tersebut adalah seperti berikut 5 Ogos (2), 8 Ogos (3) dan 9 Ogos(1).

Merujuk kepada situasi global, sehingga 10 Ogos 2009, sejumlah 208,155 kes dengan 1,688 kematian telah dilaporkan daripada 174 negara. Ia merupakan peningkatan sebanyak 1066 kes dengan 100 kematian berbanding dengan hari sebelumnya.

love in the time of pandemic influenza........

A photo taken by JC. You may (or may not) remember I once blogged about him. Read the previous entry here. Now here's the good news, I've finally met up with JC and it was really an encounter full of emotional mix and match. Anyway, I will write a more complete account of the meet up once I get a breather from all this H1N1 madness.

Go read the previous entry lah for preview....

on a lighter side of the pandemic 2..........

Siapa la yang pandai-pandai cipta mask N95 yang teramat lah bidanya ni... memang ada kurang sikit logic, think about it, who would take you seriously when you're giving important health education while looking like Donald Duck?

And luckily no matter what I do, I still look good in it, haha... this is what you're supposed to look like when you put on the mask... I'm not kidding, this is a picture shown on the box.

Jeng... jeng... jeng...

Si Donald Duck pun terasa insulted oh tinguk ni gambar, haha....

yet another one today...... 14 now....

PUTRAJAYA, Aug 6 – Another death related to Influenza A (H1N1), that of a 57-year old male pensioner at the Putrajaya Hospital yeterday, has raised the number of deaths caused by the pandemic to 14 since this morning.

Director-General of Health Tan Sri Dr Mohd Ismail Merican said the victim who had diabetes and hypertension was admitted to the hospital’s intensive care unit (ICU) with symptoms of fever, cough and difficulty in breathing.

“He was confirmed having the virus yesterday. He died yesterday of acute pulmonary oedema secondary to H1N1,” he told reporters here today.

Dr Mohd Ismail again stressed that people facing high risks, like pregnant women, those with lung disease, obesity, diabetes, asthma, low immunity, heart disease and breathing difficulty, must seek immediate treatment at the nearest clinic or hospital.

The treatment for Influenza A (H1N1) is very effective if treatment is started within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms, he stressed.

He said for those who have normal influenza symptoms and are not in the high risk groups, they are advised to not panic and rush to get themselves tested.

He said this was because many H1N1 cases in Malaysia, and throughout the rest of the world, would show light symptoms and 98 per cent would recover even without specific medicine.

“Patients with light symptoms are asked to rest and, God Willing, will recover in three or four days. After recovering they will have the anti-body, so it is not necessary for all cases with light symptoms to undergo H1N1 testing,” he said.

Dr Mohd Ismail said H1N1 testing would only be done for cases admitted to ward and those with high risk.

He said this was because the Institute of Medical Research (IMR), which is responsible for H1N1 testing, is being swamped with 500 tests a day and that 80-90 per cent were negative.

“So this burdens the IMR and is wasteful as the test cost is high,” he said.

Dr Mohd Ismail said for the people’s convenience beginning tomorrow all government hospitals and clinics that have a medical officer will be supplied with the antiviral drug tamiflu while private hospitals and clinics can buy it from local suppliers.

He reminded medical practioners not to give the medicine lightly and they should follow the guidelines set while pharmacists were not allowed to sell the drug without a prescription.

“The use of tamiflu for prophylaxsis (prevention and protection from disease) treatment will not be effective and it is a waste, whereas there might be side effects, besides building immunity to tamiflu as happened in the United States, Hong Kong, Mexico, Japan, Denmark and Canada, and can be dangerous if a person really has H1N1 and the medicine will not be effective,” he said.

Dr Mohd Ismail also said the health personnel whether in public or private service needed to take preventive steps and give serious attention to prevent getting the disease.

Up till this morning, Dr Mohd Ismail said, there were 16 new H1N1 cases and they were all locally transmitted cases involving Malaysians where five cases were from two new clusters and 11 were sporadic or isolated cases.

He said of the 16 new cases nine were treated in the ward while the rest were given out-patient treatment.

“The total number of H1N1 cases in the country till this morning is 1,492 cases with 574 or 38 per cent being imported cases and the balance 62 per cent were locally transmitted cases.

“Of this total 1,421 patients had recovered while the number of patients in the ICU was 11 and 43 pateints were receiving antiviral treatment in the isolation ward,” he said.

Asked about the H1N1 death registered in the Sepang Immigration detention depot, Dr Mohd Ismail said he was waiting for a report and a team would be sent to investigate the matter.

On the global situation, he said there were 199,146 cases with 1,446 deaths reported in 171 countries, that is a rise of 5,460 with 85 deaths compared to yesterday.– Bernama

pahang's first h1n1 death takes national toll to 13...

Hopefully this is the lucky thirteen, no more after this...

KUALA LUMUR, Aug 5 —A six-year-old boy died of Influenza A(H1N1) in Pahang today, the first death from the disease in the state, and the nation's 13th.

Mohd Hyafiq (rpt) Hyafiq Aiman Mohd Saiful Afendi died at the Tengku Ampuan Afzan (HTAA) Hospital here at 12.40pm after suffering from pneumonia.

The boy's mother, identified only as Tia, said her son was admitted to the hospital on Aug 1 after he developed fever and complained of stomach ache.

She said her only child, a pupil of the Unity Kindergarten in Taman Bukit Setongkol, was buried at the Bukit Ubi cemetery this evening. She also claimed that she was not allowed to see her son while he was under quarantine at the hospital and was informed this afternoon that he had died.

Pahang Local Government, Environment and Health Committee chairman Datuk Hoh Khai Mun, when contacted by Bernama, confirmed the death but declined to elaborate.

Earlier, Health Ministry director-general Tan Sri Ismail Merican reported three patients, aged three, 12 and 20 respectively, had died at the Malacca Hospital on Aug 3, .

A six-year-old boy who died at the Batu Pahat Hospital at 2.30am on Wednesday was the second H1N1 death in Johor.

Overall, there were 16 new cases of A(H1N1) infection recorded over the past 24 hours, bringing the cumulative total in Malaysia to 1,476, Ismail said in a statement. – Bernama

9th, 10th, 11th and 12th death toll of a(h1n1)............

PETALING JAYA: The Influenza A(H1N1) virus claimed four more lives, bringing the total number of fatalities in Malaysia to 12.

Three patients were a three years old, a 12 years old and a 20 years old who all died at the Malacca Hospital on Aug 3rd, Health Ministry director-general Tan Sri Ismail Merican said on Wednesday. The fourth was a six-year-old boy who died at 2.30am Wednesday at the Batu Pahat Hospital, the second of such deaths in Johore.

Overall, there were 16 new cases of A(H1N1) infection recorded over the past 24 hours, bringing the accumulated total in Malaysia to 1,476 since the outbreak, Ismail said in a statement from Putrajaya.

He said the three-year-old girl died from severe pneumonia at 4.30pm on Aug 3rd after having been confirmed to being infected with A(H1N1) at 6:19pm the previous day. The girl, who had a history of chronic respiratory tract infection, was warded in Malacca Hospital on July 31 after developing flu and cough symptoms on July 25th. Prior to that, she had received early treatment at private clinics before being admitted to a private hospital on July 30th and later referred to Malacca Hospital.

Dr Ismail said the 12-year-old boy died from severe pneumonia at 2pm on Monday and was confirmed to have been infected with A(H1N1) at 5.50pm on Tuesday. He said the boy, who suffered from chronic kidney failure and underwent dialysis treatment, was admitted to the hospital on Monday with a fever, cough and breathing difficulties since Aug 1st.

The 11th case involved a 20-year-old man with chronic asthma who was admitted to Malacca Hospital on Aug 2nd after having fever, cough and breathing difficulties since July 31st , Dr Ismail said. He was admitted to the intensive care unit and confirmed to have had severe pneumonia, he said, adding that the victim died at 2.30am on Monday and confirmed to have had A(H1N1) at 5.50pm on Tuesday.

Dr Ismail said the 16 new cases involved 10 from three new clusters and six sporadic cases. Of the 16 new cases, two are still being treated in the wards, 11 are receiving outpatient treatment and three have died, he said.

In JOHOR BARU, Johor Health department director Dr Mohd Khairi Yaakub said that the six-year-old boy, who was also suffering from pneumonia, died at about 2.30am on Wednesday. He was first admitted to a private hospital in Batu Pahat on July 26th, and was later admitted to the Batu Pahat Hospital on July 30th. He tested positive for the flu on July 31st, he said.

Dr Mohd Khairi said that Health Department personnel would monitor the conditions of the boy's parents and other family members. We will treat them if they show any symptoms consistent with the flu, he said.

In BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said his ministry was worried that the increasing haze throughout the country will worsen the spread of the A(H1N1) influenza. The rising air pollution has resulted in an increase of respiratory ailments, a situation which will cause the sufferers to be more vulnerable to a fatal A(H1N1) virus attack, he said.

On Tuesday, the air quality in five areas reached unhealthy levels as the number of hot spots in Sumatra and Kalimantan increased drastically. The haze has complicated an already difficult situation, Liow said.

The A(H1N1) virus attacks the lung cells directly. It then causes serious pneumonia. Those with respiratory ailments have weaker immune systems and the attack can be more serious. Those with more serious respiratory ailments like asthma will have higher risks of getting a fatal A(H1N1) attack, he told a press conference.

Liow was here in Brunei with six other Cabinet ministers to accompany Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak during the latters annual consultative meeting with Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah.

Liow also warned those with even a mild case of flu to immediately isolate themselves from their family and the general public to curb the flu.

a(h1n1): three more deaths, total at 11........

PETALING JAYA: The Influenza A(H1N1) virus claimed three more lives, bringing the total number of fatalities in Malaysia to 11.

The three patients were a three-year-old, a 12-year-old and a 20-year old who all died at the Malacca Hospital on Aug 3, Health Ministry director-general Tan Sri Ismail Merican said on Wednesday.

There were 16 new cases of A(H1N1) infection recorded over the past 24 hours, bringing the accumulated total in Malaysia to 1,476 since the outbreak.

a little on the lighter side of the pandemic........

This blog has gotten a tad morbid with the daily reporting of H1N1 situation and deaths... just to balance things up a little.......

This little piggy went to market,
This little piggy stayed at home,
This little piggy had roast beef,
This little piggy had none.

And this little piggy had influenza A virus subtype hemagglutinin protein-1 neuraminidase protein-1

Swine flu is getting serious, it has been reported to be a hamdemic, which may lead to an aporkolypse... but we'll get through. Where there's a swill there's a way...

new consensus on pandemic (h1n1) management.......

Keputusan Mesyuarat Jawatankuasa Kebangsaan Antara Kementerian Mengenai Pandemik (H1N1) 2009 Bil. 2/2009 pada 4Ogos2009

1. Mereka yang sakit perlu mematuhi nasihat-nasihat yang diberikan oleh Kementerian Kesihatan. Jika perkara ini tidak dipatuhi mereka boleh menjadi sumber jangkitan kepada orang awam. Mereka yang mepunyai gejala jangkitan influenza-like illness (ILI) perlu berehat dirumah dan memakai topeng muka apabila perlu berdekatan dengan orang lain bagi mengelak penularan jangkitan serta perlu memantau tanda-tanda keterukan atau komplikasi akibat dari jangkitan ILI supaya rawatan cepat diperolehi.
2. Pihak negeri diminta untuk mengaktifkan aktiviti pencegahan dan kawalan seperti yang telah diarahkan. Ini termasuk mengaktifkan Mesyuarat Jawatankuasa Tindakan Mengenai Pandemik (H1N1) 2009 di peringkat Negeri dan Daerah. Ini untuk membolehkan semua aktiviti kesedaran dilaksanakan dengan lebih berkesan dipelbagai peringkat atau agensi.
3. Semua kes-kes yang mempunyai simptom jangkitan influenza serta mempunyai faktor risiko (mengandung, obesiti, asma, penyakit paru-paru kronik, diabetik dan golongan imuniti rendah), akan diberi rawatan antiviral influenza serta-merta tanpa perlu membuat ujian pengesahan influenza A(H1N1). Ini adalah untuk kes-kes yang dikesan dalam masa 48 jam selepas onset.
4. Majlis Keselamatan Negara akan mengeluarkan garis panduan mengenai penutupan sekolah/institusi akibat dari penularan jangkitan influenza A(H1N1). Pengarah Kesihatan Negeri akan mengarahkan Pengarah Pelajaran Negeri untuk menutup sekolah/institusi dan seterusnya Pengarah Pelajaran Negeri akan mengeluarkan surat arahan tersebut.
5. Kementerian Pelajaran diminta untuk membuat saringan suhu badan ke atas semua pelajar sebelum kelas dimulakan. Sekiranya pelajar didapati kurang sihat mereka ini perlu diasing dan dinasihatkan berehat di rumah serta mematuhi nasihat kesihatan.
6. Kementerian Kesihatan diminta meningkatkan ’stockpile’ antiviral dari 10% kepada 20% dari jumlah penduduk Malaysia. Permohonan peruntukan akan diminta dari Kementerian Kewangan.
7. Ujian influenza A(H1N1) kepada semua jangkitan ILI tidak perlu memandangkan buat masa ini 95% jangkitan ILI ini disebabkan oleh influenza A(H1N1). Ujian pengesahan jangkitan influenza A(H1N1) hanya perlu untuk kes-kes yang dirawat di hospital. Ujian ’rapid test’ influenza A(H1N1) adalah tidak digalakkan.
8. Garispanduan kumpulan keutamaan untuk mendapat rawatan anti-viral perlu dibuat oleh Kementerian Kesihatan supaya mereka ini mendapat rawatan yang sewajarnya.
9. Jawatankuasa Khas Kempen Media yang dianggotai oleh Kementerian Penerangan, Komunikasi dan Kebudayaan, Kementerian Pembangunan Wanita, Keluarga dan Masyarakat, Kementerian Pelajaran dan Kementerian Kesihatan akan diwujudkan untuk merancang dan memastikan kempen ini dilaksanakan dengan berkesan termasuk keperluan peruntukan khas untuk menjalankan kempen ini.
10. Kementerian Kesihatan diminta untuk meningkatkan kemudahan fasiliti perubatannya termasuk kemudahan rawatan intensif, sebagai persediaan menghadapi kemungkinan pertambahan pesakit yang memerlukan rawatan perubatan

situasi terkini wabak a(h1n1) dan kematian ke-8........

Pada 4 Ogos 2009 sejumlah 14 kes baru influenza A(H1N1) dilaporkan. Semua kes adalah kes tempatan dan warga negara Malaysia. Daripada 14 kes yang dilaporkan hari ini, 13 merupakan kejadian dari 3 kluster baru dan 1 kes sporadik atau terpencil.

Jumlah terkumpul kes influenza A(H1N1) di Malaysia sehingga 4 Ogos 2009 jam 8.00 pagi adalah sebanyak 1,460 kes dengan jumlah kematian 8 orang. Daripada 1,460 kes yang dilaporkan tersebut, 574 (39.4%) merupakan kes import dan 886 (60.6%) kes jangkitan tempatan. Daripada jumlah ini, 1,410 kes (96.5%) telah sembuh, hanya 27 kes atau 1.8% sahaja yang sedang menerima rawatan antiviral di hospital di mana 10 daripadanya berada di Unit Rawatan Rapi. Dua puluh tiga (23) orang atau 1% sedang menerima rawatan antiviral di rumah.

Daripada 10 kes yang berada di Unit Rawatan Rapi, 3 daripada mereka mempunyai faktor risiko iaitu obesiti (1), wanita lepas bersalin (1) dan imuniti rendah (2).

Bagi 14 kes tersebut, 1 kes dirawat di Unit Rawatan Rapi dan 13 orang menerima rawatan pesakit luar.

Merujuk kepada situasi global, sehingga 4 Ogos 2009, sejumlah 189,155 kes dengan 1319 kematian telah dilaporkan daripada 168 negara. Peningkatan sebanyak 3,301 kes dengan 12 kematian berbanding dengan hari sebelumnya. Negara baru adalah Pakistan yang telah melaporkan kes pertama.

sumber: moh.gov.my

kematian ke-7 wabak selsema a(h1n1).........

Kes kematian ketujuh adalah seorang wanita berusia 23 tahun yang telah disahkan mendapat jangkitan influenza A(H1N1) sejak 23 Julai 2009 dan disebabkan komplikasi pada paru­-paru beliau telah dimasukkan ke Unit Rawatan Rapi Hospital Miri sejak 22 Julai 2009 sehingga hari kematian pada 4 pagi 3 Ogos 2009. Sejarah asalnya, pesakit ini telah bersalin di Hospital Miri pada 21 Julai 2009.

Selepas bersalin, beliau didapati mengidap pneumonia yang teruk dan disahkan menghidap jangkitan influenza A(H1N1) pada 23 Julai 2009. Simptom utama beliau adalah demam dan batuk yang telah bermula sejak 4 hari sebelum bersalin. Bayi pesakit didapati selamat dan disahkan bebas daripada jangkitan influenza A(H1N1). Akibat komplikasi jangkitan yang teruk pada paru­-paru, pesakit telah berada di Unit Rawatan Rapi hospital sehinggalah kematiannya pada jam 4.00 pagi, 3 Ogos 2009. Penyebab kematian direkodkan sebagai pneumonia due to influenza A(H1N1) infection.

kematian ke-6 wabak selsema a(h1n1).........

Kes adalah seorang budak lelaki berumur 11 tahun yang dimasukkan ke Hospital Sultanah Aminah Johor Bahru pada 29 Julai 2009 dengan symptom demam selama 1 hari. Tiada simptom batuk dan lain-lain tanda-tanda gangguan pernafasan. Semasa dalam rawatan keadaan klinikal pesakit bertambah tenat dan dimasukkan ke unit rawatan rapi pada 30 Julai 2009. Hasil pemeriksaan mendapati pesakit mempunyai jangkitan paru-paru dan myocarditis. Pesakit disahkan mengidap jangkitan influenza A(H1N1) pada jam 11.00 pagi 1 Ogos 2009. Akibat komplikasi jangkitan pesakit disahkan meninggal dunia pada jam 8.30pagi 2 Ogos 2009 semasa dalam rawatan di Unit Rawatan Rapi.

fifth death by influenza a(h1n1)............

The key-word here is SOB (Shortness of Breath lah!). JKNS has ordered ALL individuals presenting with influenza-like illness that also complains of SOB to be monitored closely or if necessary, admitted. History of SOB has to be obtained specifically.

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 2 — The post-mortem report of a 10-year-old who died in Perak on Friday showed that she was influenza A(H1N1) positive.

Director-general of Health 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 (H1N1) to five. According to information received, the girl was 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 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 (July 29) 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 while the post-mortem done at the Alor Star Hospital revealed that she died of severe pneumonic changes.

He added 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 said initial investigations revealed that there were no reports of influenza-like illness (ILI) 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

4th a(h1n1) death in malaysia............

Death were more commonly expected of those with pre-morbid coditions, or the extreme of age, but of the last 2 deaths, young people were involved... yikes!

PUTRAJAYA, July 29 — A 20-year-old Malaysian women died from Influenza A(H1N1) yesterday, bringing the number of deaths since the contagious flu outbreak in this country to four.

Director-general of Health Tan Sri Dr Mohd Ismail Merican said the victim died at 9.40am at the Melaka Hospital due to severe community-acquired pneumonia, and samples taken from her throat yesterday showed she had Influenza A(H1N1).

“She had been having fever, sore throat and cough since July 16 and although her condition worsened, she only sought treatment at Melaka Hospital on July 26 where her chest X-ray showed that she had pneumonia.

“The same day at 8.30pm, she was transferred to the intensive-care unit when she had breathing difficulty and required a ventilator to breathe. On Monday, the patient developed complications, including “septicaemia secondary to community-acquired pneumonia, acute renal failure and acute respiratory distress syndrome” and died at 9.40am yesterday,” he told reporters, here, today.

Dr Mohd Ismail who had earlier chaired the 10th meeting of the Influenza A(H1N1) Pandemic Technical Committee, said the rising number of deaths from the disease in this country was worrying, especially when the victims sought treatment late or the doctors failed to detect the infection early.

Hence, he said, the meeting today decided that all medical practitioners, whether at the public and private hospitals or clinics, must have an index of suspicion for pneumonia cases which must be investigated for possible Influenza A(H1N1) infection.

“Throat swabs must be taken from severe pneumonia cases at the hospitals to be tested for the disease, patients given anti-viral treatment and the history of their influenza-like illness and Influenza A(H1N1) infections noted.

“I hope after four deaths (from the disease), people will be more alert. If you don’t feel well, if you have symptoms like breathing difficulty, put on a face mask and seek treatment early.

“All this shows that we (doctors) need to really strengthen our examination techniques. When the patient comes, you listen well to the history, and if the history shows respiratory symptoms, you examine the respiratory in detail.

“But this is not happening, so we are alerting the doctors to examine all patients thoroughly, especially those with respiratory symptoms and unusual clinical features,” he said.

Dr Mohd Ismail said all severe pneumonia cases due to suspected Influenza A(H1N1) must be given influenza anti-viral medicine with the doses increased.

He said laboratory tests for Influenza A(H1N1) which so far could only be done at the Institute of Medical Research (IMR) and Sungai Buloh Hospital would be extended to government hospitals in the states and as such, they would be given training and the facilities.

He disclosed that 21 private hospitals had been supplied with enough influenza anti-viral medicine to treat patients with the disease and suspected cases.

“We will top up the supply from time to time, so there is no more excuse for the private hospitals to push the patients to the government hospitals,” he said.

On the current situation, he said 47 new cases had been reported nationwide and all these were locally transmitted.

The new cases have brought the total number of cases so far to 1,266 including the four deaths. Of the figure, 574 or 45 per cent are imported cases while 692 were locally transmitted.

Dr Mohd Ismail said 1,233 cases or 97 per cent had recovered, and 24 cases receiving anti-viral treatment at the hospitals and nine at home.

On the global situation, he said 169,753 cases with 1,125 deaths had been reported in 159 countries as at this morning, an increase of 6,038 cases with 100 deaths since yesterday. – Bernama

third death due to influenza a(h1h1) reported......

July 28, 2009 12:42 PM

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia reported Tuesday the country’s third death due to Influenza A (H1N1 2009). The latest victim is a 42 year-old local male who died at a private hospital in Kuala Lumpur at 4.40 pm Tuesday.

-Bernama-

a(h1n1 2009) status, press statement by minister......

Situasi Semasa Pandemik (H1N1) 2009
Dan Tindakan Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia

27 Julai 2009

Pada 27 Julai 2009 sejumlah 49 kes baru influenza A(H1N1) dengan 1 kematian telah dilaporkan, semua kes adalah kes tempatan di kalangan warga negara Malaysia. Daripada 49 yang dilaporkan hari ini, 29 kes merupakan kejadian dari 9 kluster baru dan tiga belas (13) kes merupakan kejadian dari 4 kluster sedia ada. Tujuh (7) kes yang lain termasuk 1 kematian yang dilaporkan merupakan kes-kes sporadikatau terpencil.

Jumlah terkumpul kes influenza A(H1N1) di Malaysia sehingga 27 Julai 2009 adalah sebanyak 1,124 kes dengan 2 kematian. Daripada 1,124 kes yang dilaporkan tersebut, 574 (51%) merupakan kes import dan 550 (49%) kes jangkitan tempatan. Daripada jumlah ini, 1103 kes (98%) telah sembuh hanya 10 kes atau 1% sahaja yang sedang menerima rawatan anti-viral di hospital. Lapan (8) kes atau 1% mendapat rawatan antiviral di rumah.

As of 26/7/09 @4pm, there are 1124 cases in Malaysia, 2 deaths and in Sabah 110 cases, 0 deaths.

the day facebook crashes...

I bet even Nostradamus didn't even see this coming, a day when Facebook refuses to load, and people all around the globe getting anxious and disorientated, either because they couldn't tell the world what they were thinking at that moment, or because they could not read about what other people are thinking at that moment...

I bet the productivity of the industries would have increased substantially by lunch time, when people have taken in and internalised in their system, the fact that Facebook doesn't work today and they'd better get back to work.

Finally... Missed this one, eh, Nosty?

bringing home ookiikuro........

20.07.2009

Introducing Ookiikuro, the new gadget that runs on a 5kg battery and burns fluid combustive hydrocarbons.

The day I first saw it in Sandakan UMW showroom...

Today, dad and I went to the Inanam UMW to pick it up, after another trip by trailer over the weekend back from Sandakan, all ready for the road...

Taking Ookiikuro out for an evening stroll in the neighbourhood, and Yiyi seems to be more excited about this ride than anything else....

CheCheMiMi in the cockpit, both of us in the bucket.

management made easy, in 6 parables........

This is the funniest way to teach management, found it while browsing someone else's blog this morning... See if it makes good bed time story.

Lesson 1
A man is getting into the shower just as his wife is finishing up her shower, when the doorbell rings. The wife quickly wraps herself in a towel and runs downstairs. When she opens the door, there stands Bob, the next-door neighbor.

Before she says a word, Bob says, "I'll give you $800 to drop that towel, "

After thinking for a moment, the woman drops her towel and stands naked in front of Bob After a few seconds, Bob hands her $800 and leaves. The woman wraps back up in the towel and goes back upstairs. When she gets to the bathroom, her husband asks, "Who was that?"

"It was Bob the next door neighbor," she replies.

"Great," the husband says, "did he say anything about the $800 he owes me?"

Moral of the story:
If you share critical information pertaining to credit and risk with your shareholders in time, you may be in a position to prevent avoidable exposure.

Lesson 2
A priest offered a Nun a lift. She got in and crossed her legs, forcing her gown to reveal a leg. The priest nearly had an accident. After controlling the car, he stealthily slid his hand up her leg.

The nun said, "Father, remember Psalm 129?" The priest removed his hand. But, changing gears, he let his hand slide up her leg again.

The nun once again said, "Father, remember Psalm 129?"
The priest apologized "Sorry sister but the flesh is weak."

Arriving at the convent, the nun sighed heavily and went on her way.

On his arrival at the church, the priest rushed to look up Psalm 129
It said, "Go forth and seek, further up, you will find glory."

Moral of the story:
If you are not well informed in your job, you might miss a great opportunity.

Lesson 3
A sales rep, an administration clerk, and the manager are walking to lunch when they find an antique oil lamp. They rub it and a Genie comes out.

The Genie says, "I'll give each of you just one wish."

"Me first! Me first!" says the admin clerk. "I want to be in the Bahamas , driving a speedboat, without a care in the world."

Puff! She's gone.

"Me next! Me next!" says the sales rep. "I want to be in Hawaii, relaxing on the beach with my personal masseuse, an endless supply of Pina Coladas and the love of my life."

Puff! He's gone.

"OK, you're up," the Genie says to the manager.

The manager says, "I want those two back in the office after lunch."

Moral of the story:
Always let your boss have the first say.

Lesson 4
An eagle was sitting on a tree resting, doing nothing. A small rabbit saw the eagle and asked him, "Can I also sit like you and do nothing?"

The eagle answered: " Sure , why not."
So, the rabbit sat on the ground below the eagle and rested.

All of a sudden, a fox appeared, jumped on the rabbit and ate it.

Moral of the story:
To be sitting and doing nothing, you must be sitting very, very high up.

Lesson 5
A turkey was chatting with a bull. "I would love to be able to get to the top of that tree," sighed the turkey, "but I haven't got the energy."

"Well, why don't you nibble on some of my droppings?" replied the bull. "They're packed with nutrients." !

The turkey pecked at a lump of dung, and found it actually gave him enough strength to reach the lowest branch of the tree. The next day, after eating some more dung, he reached the second branch. Finally after a fourth night, the turkey was proudly perched at the top of the tree.

He was promptly spotted by a farmer, who shot him out of the tree.

Moral of the story:
Bull Shit might get you to the top, but it won't keep you there.

Lesson 6
A little bird was flying south for the Winter. It was so cold the bird froze and fell to the ground into a large field. While he was lying there, a cow came by and dropped some dung on him.

As the frozen bird lay there in the pile of cow dung, he began to realize how warm he was. The dung was actually thawing him out! He lay there all warm and happy, and soon began to sing for joy.

A passing cat heard the bird singing and came to investigate. Following the sound, the cat discovered the bird under the pile of cow dung, and promptly dug him out and ate him.

Morals of the story:
(1) Not everyone who shits on you is your enemy.
(2) Not everyone who gets you out of shit is necessary your friend.
(3) And when you're in deep shit, it's better to keep your voice low and watch - enemy or friend!

Visit the real PATCH here

happy birthday yi yi.......

Today, the youngest member of Asrama Budi turns 2 years old!!

Cuuuuuuutttteeeeeee.............

Facebook: click here to visit the real PATCH

now that we're in mitigation phase.........

As of last Friday, Malaysia has put its H1N1 control from CONTAINMENT EFFORT to MITIGATION PHASE. That's just a fanciful way to say that at this point, the H1N1 virus is already present in the general population, and the effort to quarantine and contain cases of H1N1 patients would bring very little fruitful results.

So now, what can be done is just to minimise complications, treat those who are ill, and hope for the best. Nevertheless, investigations are still being carried out just that contact tracing will be reduced and people will not be put under quarantine anymore.

Hospitalisation and isolation is still done, only to those who might get severely ill from this flu.

To make thins simple, these are the important few things to remember as we are in this phase now...

1. Social Distancing - 1 meter or 3 feet from potentially sick people, and avoid crowded places. This can sometimes be impossible (ie in the lifts, public transport etc) but remember also that significant contact occurs when someone splutter respiratory fluids / tampias on you or you're within 1 m radius of a H1N1 patient for approximately 4 hours
2. Protect yourself - the 3 ply masks (surgical masks) are good enough when traveling out in crowded place, although N95 is best but can be costly nowadays. I saw N95 being sold for RM15 at Sandakan airport. The point of the mask is to filter out the air that we breath in, so if we adjust the mask so much so that we breath easily like normal, chances are we're wearing it wrong. We should be slightly uncomfortable when wearing a filtering mask. Logic, right?
3. Proper hygiene - wash hands with soap often when in public places. We don't need a Phase 6 Pandemic Influenza to teach us this.
4. Cough / Sneeze Etiquette - disposable tissue best, handkerchiefs alternative. Sleeve, hand, or even turning away while sneezing into open air is bad. Close, close, close that orifice.
5. If not feeling well, seek medical attention.
6. Call the bugger by its proper name - no more swine flu please... Human-swine Influenza is still okay, but Selsema Babi is just wrong... Influenza A (H1N1) how difficult is it to say it right?

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10k hits........

So the hits counter shows 9,991 visitors for now... 9 more and I'll join the 10k hits club... whoppeee. Kinda pathetic as compared to Tun Mahathir's blog that joins the million-hits club in mere days... heh.

arteo's third day in kuantan, a misadventure.....

Well, okay, the day went well, sessions were fruitful, there were many issues discussed, and then I went out at night, absconding myself from the last session...

I saw there was a sale at Giordano, the usual t-shirt I wore that cost RM50 for 3 now selling only RM40. After dinner I joined DrLJF for teh tarik and then went on to get my Giordanos. That done at about 9pm, I had some time to walk around Berjaya Megamall, and decided to watch Ice Age 3 at 10pm.

With 1 hour to waste I walked around the mall, and happened across this newly opened Adidas outlet. Yep, I came out with a new shoe, but not without feeling a tad irritated first. See, I was asking the lady if she has the bigger size for the shoe I was interested in. She checked some tags and confirmed there is a pair of size 11. Great. So after a few minutes waiting, she came back with size 10 and said that she can't find size 11, and why don't I try size 10 instead. Okay Madam smartie-pants, I told her I wouldn't fit in it but she gave me a blur look. I thought, okay, maybe she needs to see the shoe rip before she understands, so I sat and tried putting it on. To be nice to the shoe, I asked for a shoe horn. She never heard of it. She asked a colleague. Colleague and colleague's colleagues also never heard of shoe horn. Never mind, so I explained, something that looks like a rice spoon, only narrower and used to fit shoes, so to protect the shoes, and make it easy for clients to put it on, but no, not in their universe. Okay. I pulled the sorry pair of shoes on and showed to her, bloody tight. Need 1 size bigger, and we went like, tak jumpa. I asked her, what do you mean tak jumpa? Is it lost in the shop? Is it being displayed? What? She asked for a few more minutes and went back in again, and after 10 minutes, came out with the box of size 11 shoes. I reserve my comments on stoopid lazy asses like this. Ah, darn I said it.

So I told her, after putting it on and liking it much, that I'll wear it, and have my Hush Puppies (yes, must mention) oxfords put in the box instead. She sort of retorted "PAY FIRST" In perfect 2 words phrase kind of sentence without any grammatical errors. I swallowed my own poison and let out a soft "I know"....

Then, at the cinema, while booking the ticket I saw the seats were full, to the brim, and I was lucky to get a seat at the corner lot, fourth row from the back. I wasn't really that early, but by the time I sat down, I was the only one on fourth row. I knew it, I'm gonna have some peoples' asses rubbed on my face when the show starts, and yes, prediction was right at the moment when Sid went away from the herd, when Manny was talking to Diego and when Sid was doing stunts with the eggs. The horror didn't end there, the ultimately cina bitch sitting next to me had her canto-pop ring tone chiming twice throughout the show. WHY ARE SOME PEOPLE SO BLOODY DENSE ABOUT CINEMA ETIQUETTE, AND THEY HAVE TO HAVE CANTO-POP RING TONES, AND THEY MUST SIT NEXT TO ME????

After the movie, the mall was all closed so I was just following the crowd to get to the exit. Suddenly a joker security guard came and sang to us (yes, he was either mocking / flirting with the girls in front of me or that he has a disorder that makes his speech kind of melodious in the wrongest way) "Nak ke mana?? Nak ke mana??" So we said we're getting out, then he sang again "Tak boleh, tak boleh, pusing balik, pusing balik..." repeatedly, I'm telling you. The girls went all confused and I as usual, got irritated with the whole musical drama, so I asked him, "Encik, bagitau, nak keluar ikut mana?" in a stern voice and I was wearing my Kementerian Kesihatan t-shirt. He pointed to the way out. And that felt normal. I turned around and said to myself, "menyanyi semacam bodoh" and the girls giggled. Yes, acknowledgement! Needed that much.

On the way back to the hotel, I passed by the mamak shop where I had a drink earlier, and wanted to try the mutton soup, supposedly very nice according to DrL. Then a Benggali (no racist remark intended) came to wait on my table, telling me soup kambing habis. Her said only sup yeakeh is available. I went, WHAT? Sup Yeakeh, sup yeakeh... I almost asked for the boss to come, then he pointed out at the menu he grabbed from the next table, Sup Ekor. Owh.. what's the whole thing with YEAKEH?? Can't blame him for being Benggali though... That wasn't my most enjoyable supper, first the soup came without a spoon, so I asked for it, the spoon came. Then, I realised I had to hold the bone while chewing on the meat, so I asked for a fork, and after a few minutes it came. I had some soup splashes on the table and on my hand, and the napkin came after a few more minutes. Damn, next time anybody comes to eat at this place, make a bloody CHECKLIST!!

After that I came up to the room, tired and full, and as I went into the room, I wondered why the room was warm, the aircond was not working... So I called the reception counter, asking for engineering to come have a look. I introduced myself as room 609, and she wanted to know my name. I almost asked her, shouldn't she know? I am the guest and she has the bloody guest list in front of her. What is this, some sort of security password? She should be greeting me by my name! After I told her, she went "Okay" phew, glad I got the password right!! But I didn't want to think much of it, I just want to have my aircond done, and sleep...

But before I sleep, I have to type this down... yea, what a day.

arteo sick in kuantan........

Morning started with slight gritty scratchy feeling in the throat, and slight temperature. I thought it might be the air conditioning blasting the whole night, and it got better by breakfast time. However I felt lethargic through out the lectures and the group work, so I sneaked up to the room and slept through lunch.

During the afternoon session, I was still not feeling better, and salbutamol couldn't seem to sustain effect. I thought I was just cold from the A/C but DrLJF felt my head and confirmed it was a fever. So I took a walk to get my Panadol Actifast (the only type that works) and Ubat Batuk Kelapa Laut Afrika (none else would do) and came back to the hotel and slept through dinner.

At about 8:30pm, I got dressed and set out for jalan jalan cari makan, but disappointingly, I only came across mamak style restaurants... and I want something authentically Kuantanese... although I must say I don't quite know what I'm looking for. So I stopped by at the pharmacy to get ipratropium (since I think I've overdosed on salbutamol and getting this cramps in my calves) then sat at Starbucks for dinner (mocha and Oriental BBQ Chicken Pie).

Got some handkerchiefs from Parkson since I'll be coughing a bit, hopefully it will go off completely tomorrow. Don't want the airport thermoscan to pick up my fever and get me quarantined...