Death toll from seasonal influenza reaches 7
Returning Myanmar workers from Thailand are being screened for the H1N1 virus in addition to being provided with health care at migrant worker receiving station in Myawady on Thursday. Photo: Myawady IPRD
Returning Myanmar workers from Thailand are being screened for the H1N1 virus in addition to being provided with health care at migrant worker receiving station in Myawady on Thursday.
The health measures come as the death toll from this year’s outbreak of H1N1 continues to rise. With another death due to H1N1 influenza reported in Yangon on Friday, the total number of deaths is now 7, or 5.7 per cent of those who have been confirmed to have the virus, the Ministry of Health and Sports said yesterday. The fatalities include two 5-year-old girls who died at a children’s hospital in Yangon. The statement of the ministry also said that it was found that six more patients have contracted with the virus.
Following laboratory testing from 28th to 29th July, the total number of patients who are H1N1 positive is now 41.
The screenings that began on Thursday at the receiving station did not reveal any new cases of H1N1, also known as swine flu, but officials remain
vigilant.
“Health care is a usual service provided, but with the current occurrences of H1N1, the migrant worker receiving station is using temporal thermometers (forehead thermometers) to monitor the returning workers’ temperature”, said Dr. Daw San San Myint of District Hospital child and maternal health department. “If a worker has high temperature and indicates further symptoms of H1N1, he/she will be treated in Myawady Hospital. Arrangements are being made in the hospital to treat patients suspected of having H1N1 while talks and educative works are being conducted in the wards”.
More than 200 returning workers from Thailand, 85 on 27 July, 62 on 28 July and more than 60 on the morning of 29 July were screened and none were found to have H1N1 symptoms. The H1N1 screenings were started under the instruction of Myawady District Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr. Thida Soe on 27 July and will be continued indefinitely, it is learnt.
Meanwhile, three chickens with the H1N1 virus died at a house in Mayangon Township, it was learnt yesterday.
Following the confirmation of the avian flu virus infection by the laboratory of the Livestock Breeding and Veterinary Department, the disease control team of the department cleansed the area and has taken quarantine measures in order to prevent further infection.
Certain strains of the H1N1 virus affect both humans and animals, and are highly contagious.
The Myanmar health ministry has urged the public to follow guidelines that reduce the chance of contrcting the H1N1 virus, such as frequent washing of hands, avoiding crowds, refraining from spitting and using disposable tissues when coughing or sneezing.
Htane Lin Aung (IPRD)