Death realated to A(H1N1) In Malaysia

on Sunday, August 16, 2009

what i was able to gather form the news stie www.thestar.com.my regarding death that are realted to A H1N1 as of thursday.

Death realated cases cause by A(H1N1) in Malaysia.

Thursday August 13, 2009
A (H1N1) claims six more lives

PUTRAJAYA: Two babies and a pregnant woman are among six new cases of influenza A (H1N1) deaths.
The six are a 10-month-old baby girl, a one-year-old baby boy, a pregnant 18-year-old woman, a 24-year-old man and two other men in their 60s.
The baby girl died from severe broncho-pneumonia while the baby boy died because of heart complications and pneumonia.
The boy had undergone heart surgery at a private hospital in Kuala Lumpur before being referred to the government hospital for further treatment.
The pregnant woman died from severe pneumonia, while the 24-year-old man died from pneumonia and septicemia. The 60-year-old man who died had diabetes, hypertension and heart problems and was admitted because of fever and cough.
The sixth victim was a cancer-striken 62-year-old man, who was also a diabetic. He died from severe pneumonia.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, who released the details at a press conference here yesterday, said that some 76 patients were being treated in isolation wards while another 21 were in the intensive care unit.
On another matter, Liow said schools should not close unless a high number of their teachers and students were absent because of A (H1N1) infection.
He said headmasters would determine whether the schools could function or not, after following advice from the state health directors and informing state education directors.
He also urged producers, suppliers and traders of mask and hand sanitisers to be responsible and not simply increase prices.
Meanwhile, Suhakam urged the Govern-ment to take definite steps to increase public awareness about the pandemic.
The commission, in a statement yesterday, expressed concern over the worsening situation, especially the state of preparation of public health defence.
In Johor Baru, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) graduates attending the university’s 43rd convocation this weekend have been told to fill up a health declaration form stating that they are free from influenza A (H1N1) virus.
In Kuantan, the Regent of Pahang’s consort Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah Sultan Iskandar, who has contracted the virus along with their five children, said she had received various SMSes of support.

Wednesday August 12, 2009
A(H1N1): 6 more deaths, total fatalities at 44

PUTRAJAYA: There were six more Influenza A(H1N1)-related deaths reported on Wednesday, bringing the total number of fatalities in the country to 44.
The latest deaths involved a 10-month-old girl, a one-year-old boy, an 18-year-old pregnant woman, a 24-year-old man and two other men in their 60s, Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said here on Wednesday.
He also said that schools with suspected cases should not close entirely unless they could not function due to a high incidence of teachers or students being infected or under quarantine.
Liow said the principals of such schools would have to determine if this were the case, following advice from the state health director and after informing the state education director.
Liow also warned suppliers and traders not to indiscriminately increase the prices of facemasks and hand sanitisers to exploit the demand, adding that stern action would be taken against such profiteers
Tuesday August 11, 2009
Flu fatalities climb to 32

PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia reported six more deaths related to Influenza A (H1N1), bringing the total number of fatalities to 32.
Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Ismail Merican said there was one death on Sunday while two people succumbed to the disease last Wednesday. Three patients died on Saturday.
It was only now confirmed that the five had died of A (H1N1) following post-mortem, he said, adding that the deaths were officially reported to health authorities on Sunday.
“Four of the victims had underlying risk factors,” he said. “In the last 24 hours, 203 new cases were reported, of which 15 were treated in Intensive Care Unit and 67 patients are in the isolation wards,” he said yesterday.
To date, the total number of reported cases in the country stood at 1,982. Globally, 208,155 people have been found to be infected by the virus and 1,688 people from 174 countries have died.
Dr Ismail advised those who showed symptoms and in the high-risk groups to seek medical attention, adding that anti-viral treatment was effective on patients who began treatment within 48 hours of showing the flu symptoms.
High-risk groups include children who are below five years, senior citizens 65 years and above, children and youth under 19 who have been taking asprin for long-term, pregnant women, those who suffer from asthma, chronic lung disease, organ failure, cardiovascular, liver and blood system diseases, diabetic, obese people and those with low immunity.
“Those who show light symptoms should be given symptomatic treatment, stay at home and limit their interaction with others.”
In Perak, state Health committee chairman Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon said another institution - the Mara Junior Science College in Lenggong - had been ordered to close.
A total of 41 schools and institutions in Pahang have been closed but 11 had reopened, Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob said.
“The staff of the state health department are doing their level best to curb the spread of the virus.”
Published: Thursday August 6, 2009 MYT 1:27:00 PM
Updated: Thursday August 6, 2009 MYT 4:02:25 PM
A(H1N1): Death toll increases to 14 (Update)
By MAZWIN NIK ANIS

mazwin@thestar.com.my
PUTRAJAYA: Health authorities urged the public not to panic and stepped up measures to contain the Influenza A(H1N1) outbreak as the virus claimed its 14th fatality.
Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Ismail Merican said that as of 8am Thursday, the death toll had reached 14, the latest casualty being a 57-year-old pensioner who was a diabetic and suffered from hypertension.
He was warded at the intensive care unit at the Putrajaya Hospital on Aug 4 and succumbed to acute pulmonary oedema on Wednesday.
Health authorities also recorded 16 new cases in the last 24 hours; all were local tranmissions with two new clusters reported. The number of people who have been infected in Malaysia stood at 1,492.
Dr Ismail also said that beginning Friday, all government hospitals, clinics and 22 private hospitals nationwide would be supplied with the Tamiflu anti-viral medication. Private clinics would be able to obtain their supply from the relevant pharmaceutical suppliers.
“The suppliers have given us the assurance that there is sufficient supply of anti-viral medication. However, I would like to warn doctors not to use the drugs as prophylaxis or medication to prevent one from getting the flu.
“This is because not only have such measures proven to be ineffective, they will also cause resistance to the medication as reported in the United States, Hong Kong, Mexico, Japan, Denmark and Canada.
“This move will also deplete the resources for such medication. Pharmacists are also warned not to sell the anti-viral drugs to the public without a doctor’s prescription,” Dr Ismail said.
Dr Ismail also said that not all who have developed flu-like symptoms need to be tested for A(H1N1) and urged the public not to panic or feel upset if hospitals send them home without taking throat swabs.
He said only those who were warded in hospitals and in high-risk groups would be tested for the flu.
“The technical commitee had decided on this because each day, the Institute of Medical Research is flooded with at least 500 applications for A(H1N1) tests and 80% to 90% are tested negative.
“We want to prevent wastage and overloading so that the institute can concentrate on detecting genuine cases and conduct tests which are more important and crucial,” he told a press conference Thursday.
Dr Ismail added that apart from conducting tests to confirm Influenza A(H1N1), the IMR was also responsible for looking for new virus strains and determining if the present virus is resistant to anti-viral medication.
He noted that so far, tests to determine both had been negative.
Dr Ismail also advised doctors and healthcare practitioners to be vigilant and take precautionary measures to prevent themselves from being infected with the flu after close contact with patients.
He added that unlike the SARS outbreak where none of the healthcare personnel were infected, the A(H1N1) flu had caused a few to fall ill.
He said the public has an important role to play to curtail the spread and must heed medical advice, especially when asked to go under home quarantine.
“One should not go out when asked to remain at home. Even when inside the house, one should confine himself to a room and strictly minimise contact with the rest of the household.
“I cannot impress enough how important it is for members of the public to be responsible and not to infect others when they are down with the flu, cough or cold, and to maintain high levels of hygiene,” he said.
Published: Friday July 31, 2009 MYT 5:01:00 PM
Updated: Friday July 31, 2009 MYT 6:12:05 PM
10yr-old with flu symptoms dies, post-mortem on (Update)
By CLARA CHOOI

clara.chooi@thestar.com.my
IPOH: Perak may have recorded its first influenza A (H1N1) death when a 10-year-old girl from Bagan Serai in Kerian succumbed to influenza-like symptoms.
State Health exco Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon told a press conference here that the girl, a pupil from SK Matang Gerdu, died at 5am on Friday at the Bagan Serai Health Clinic.
“She began suffering from fever, cough and breathing difficulties at about 3am and her level of oxygen dipped.
“After arriving at the clinic, she was given resuscitation but collapsed anyway and could not be saved,” he said.
Dr Mah added that the girl had already sought treatment from the clinic on Wednesday after suffering from an upper respiratory tract infection.
“However at the time, she was still stable and was sent home,” he said, adding that there were no reported cases of influenza-like illnesses from other pupils in the girl’s school.
He said that health authorities were still waiting for the post-mortem report in order to ascertain the cause of the girl’s death but suspects that it could have been from influenza A (H1N1).
If confirmed, the girl’s case would bring the country’s death toll from A(H1N1) to five.
Dr Mah also said five more institutions have been ordered closed for seven days since Friday, in addition to the nine already closed, with a total of 45 confirmed H1N1 cases.
The institutions are SJK (T) Simpang Lima with 12 suspected cases, SJK (T) St Mary and SK Wawasan Pekan Baru, all in Kerian, with 22 suspected cases in total, the Tegas Mesra National Service camp in Selama (unknown number of cases) and the Universiti Teknologi Petronas hostel in Seri Iskandar, Tronoh, with 192 suspected cases.
Dr Mah also warned the public against hiding possible A(H1N1) cases from the authorities, saying that it was an irresponsible act.
“We will not hide anything from the public because we believe it is important for them to be updated on what is going on,” he said.
Monday August 3, 2009
11-year-old boy is sixth H1N1 death

PETALING JAYA: An 11-year-old boy has died of Influenza A (H1N1), bringing the total number of deaths from the disease to six.
Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Mohd Ismail Merican said in a statement that the boy died at 8.30am yesterday at Hospital Sultanah Aminah Johor Baru after having fever.
He was admitted into the hospital on July 29.
Dr Ismail said his condition worsened and he was admitted into the intensive care unit a day later.
He said further checks revealed that he was suffering from inflammation of heart and lungs.
“On Aug 1, he was confirmed to be infected with the virus,” he said.
The boy’s death follows the death of a 10-year-old girl from Bagan Serai.
Dr Mohd Ismail said the girl had been ill since July 27 but she did not suffer from any breathing problems when she received outpatient treatment at a private clinic.
On the night of July 28, the girl complained of breathing difficulties and received treatment at a Bagan Serai health clinic the next day.
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 at 3am on Friday, she complained of breathing difficulties, fever and cough before arriving at the Bagan Serai Health Clinic for treatment.
While receiving treatment, she passed out. She was pronounced dead at 5.30am. The post mortem done at the Alor Setar Hospital on Friday revealed that she died of severe pneumonic changes.
Tests on phlegm taken from the girl by the Institute of Medical Research showed that the girl had the A (H1N1) virus.
Meanwhile, Dr Mohd Ismail said 39 new flu cases were reported yesterday, taking the total number of cases to 1,429.
Thirty-five of 39 were from eight new cluster cases while four were sporadic cases.
Of the 1,429 cases, 60% were local transmission while the rest were imported.
He said 19 cases, eight of which were in ICU, were currently in hospital and were being given anti-viral treatment.
In Ipoh, state Health Committee chairman Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon said SMKA Shamsul Maarif Al-Wataniah in Tanjung Piandang, Kerian, had also been ordered closed after 38 people from the school developed influenza-like illnesses.
“This brings the number of institutions closed since the outbreak to 16,” he said, adding that 18 people are currently in various hospitals in the state for the disease.
Published: Monday August 3, 2009 MYT 11:10:00 AM
Updated: Monday August 3, 2009 MYT 7:24:19 PM
A(H1N1): Lady teacher, 51, is country's 8th flu death (Update 2)
By AUDREY EDWARDS and STEPHEN THEN

KUALA LUMPUR: A lady teacher, 51, from a Selangor school closed on July 27 died Sunday, making her the eighth Influenza A(H1N1) death in the country.
She had developed pneumonia and had underlying heart disease, said Health Director-General Tan Sri Dr Ismail Merican on Monday.
He said that a sample was taken after she died and the test results on Monday showed that she was infected by the flu virus.
He said that she had complained of cough, fever and difficulty in breathing and saw a doctor on July 27.
She was later hospitalised in Sungei Buloh Hospital on July 30 and then moved to Seremban Hospital where her condition worsened and she died of pneumonia.
Meanwhile in Miri, a 24-year-old native woman suffering from Influenza A(H1N1) died at 4am on Monday, a mere two weeks after giving birth to her first child at the intensive care unit of the Miri Hospital.
Her baby girl is safe, Sarawak Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan Hong Nam said, adding that this was the state’s first reported death from the deadly flu.
The woman, from here, was warded on July 17 after she contracted the disease. At that time she was already in an advanced stage of pregnancy.
The hospital managed to help her deliver a baby girl a few days after she was warded. The baby has been handed over to her father, a labourer in his late 20s.
“This is the first death in Sarawak due to A(H1N1). We (the Sarawak government) have increased the alert level throughout the whole state now.
“Nobody can take this disease lightly anymore,” Dr Chan said.
The Miri Hospital tightened security and safety by several notches to prevent any spread of the disease.
Its director Dr Uma Devi had issued directives to staff not to allow little children to enter the wards if they are not there for any health-related purposes.
Visitors are not allowed to bring babies or little kids to the wards anymore. Old folk are also discouraged from entering unless they are there for health checks.
Smokers are also barred from coming near the wards.
Dr Uma said the tighter safety measures are needed as those who are weaker have immune systems that can be easily attacked by the H1N1 virus.
The Sarawak woman brings the total number of deaths in Malaysia to seven, the previous being an 11-year-old boy who died in Johor Baru on Sunday.
A(H1N1): Death toll rises to eight
Reports by FOONG PEK YEE, AUDREY EDWARDS, MAZWIN NIK ANIS, STEPHEN THEN, MARTIN CARVALHO, SYLVIA LOOI and DESIREE TRESA GASPER

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia reported two new influenza A (H1N1) deaths yesterday, bringing the total number of people who have succumbed to the disease to eight.
The seventh victim was a 24-year-old native woman who died at the Miri Hospital’s intensive care unit, two weeks after giving birth to her first child. She was the first A (H1N1) fatality in Sarawak.
The eighth victim was a 51-year-old school teacher who died in Seremban on Sunday, said Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Ismail Merican.
The Institute for Medical Research confirmed yesterday that the teacher had contracted the virus. Her tissue samples were tested after her death.
She had taught at a school in Selangor, which was closed on July 27 following the discovery of an A (H1N1) cluster there.
The onset of the disease began on July 23, and the teacher visited a general practitioner on July 27.
She went to the Sungai Buloh Hospital on July 30, and subsequently to the Tuanku Ja’afar Hospital in Seremban on Sunday after experiencing a shortness of breath. She was admitted to the intensive care unit where she died.
The native woman was warded on July 17. At the time, she was already in an advanced stage of pregnancy.
The hospital helped her deliver a baby girl a few days later. The baby is healthy and has been handed over to the father, a labourer in his late 20s.
Sarawak Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan Hong Nam said the state had stepped up the alert level.
“Nobody can take this disease lightly any more,” he said yesterday.
The Miri Hospital has stopped children from entering the wards unless they are undergoing treatment.
The elderly are also discouraged from the wards, while smokers are barred altogether.
Hospital director Dr Uma Devi said the tighter safety measures were aimed at protecting those with a weak immune system.
Published: Monday July 27, 2009 MYT 4:21:00 PM
Updated: Monday July 27, 2009 MYT 6:44:09 PM
A(H1N1): Second death in Malaysia (Update)

PETALING JAYA: A 46-year-old Malaysian man who worked in Belgium, died from Influenza A(H1N1) on Sunday, making him the second victim to have died from the contagious flu since its outbreak in this country.
The man was reported to have died from “severe pneumonia with respiratory failure with septicaemic shock and acute renal failure” after seven days being treated at the intensive care unit of a private hospital in Subang Jaya.
Health Ministry director-general Tan Sri Dr Mohd Ismail Merican said the victim came back to Malaysia on July 4.
“He was alright until he went for a holiday with his family in Langkawi on July 13 when he developed fever and coughing.
“Upon his return from Langkawi, he sought treatment at a private hospital in Petaling Jaya on July 16 where his chest X-ray showed that he had pneumonia,” he said in a statement issued here Monday.
Dr Mohd Ismail said the man was then referred to the private hospital in Subang Jaya on July 19 and warded at the ICU.
He said tests conducted by the Institute of Medical Research on July 22, on a sample taken from the man’s throat confirmed that he had been infected with the H1N1 virus.
“Complications developed and the man died at 12.35pm Sunday,” he said, adding that 18 contact cases had been identified and only one had tonsillitis symptoms.
On July 21, a 30-year-old Islamic finance student from Indonesia also died from Influenza A(H1N1).
Dr Mohd Ismail said the latest fatal case was among seven cases categorised as sporadic or isolated.
He said six other local cases in the same category included three who were warded in the hospitals -- one for pneumonia and the others a five-month pregnant woman and a young student. The other three are from one family and they received outpatient treatment.
Dr Mohd Ismail also said that 49 new cases were reported Monday, all involving locals, bringing the total number of cases so far to 1,124 with two deaths. Of the figure, 574 were imported cases while the rest were locally transmitted.
He said 1,103 cases (98%) had recovered, another 10 cases were being given antiviral treatment and eight were treated at home. -- Bernama
Published: Thursday July 23, 2009 MYT 1:40:00 PM
Updated: Thursday July 23, 2009 MYT 6:32:20 PM
First A(H1N1) related death in Malaysia (Update)
By LOH FOON FONG

PUTRAJAYA: A 30-year-old Indonesian student became the first Influenza A(H1N1) related fatality here, although the cause of death was not the disease itself.
Initial investigations show that the cause of death was the result of a cardiac arrest due to ventricular fibrillation (irregular heart rhythm), Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said.
The first-year student at the International Centre for Education in Islamic Finance, Kuala Lumpur, had other underlying medical conditions.
“Influenza A(H1N1) was not a direct cause of his death,” he told a press conference on Thursday.
The patient went back to Indonesia for a holiday and returned to Malaysia on July 5 and was reported to have been suffering a mild fever and cough, Liow said.
On July 21, the patient fainted while waiting for his medication after seeing a doctor at a private medical centre in Kampung Baru, Kuala Lumpur. He was given emergency treatment but his life could not be saved, he said.
The patient passed away at 11:50am and the medical centre recorded “cardiac arrest due to ventrical fibrillation” as the cause of death, he added.
“A post-mortem examination was carried out at the Kuala Lumpur Hospital on the same day and results showed that the patient was obese, had pneumonia, an enlarged heart and liver and pus-like material at the bottom of the trachea,” he said.
Liow said 20 specimens had been taken for virology, bacterialogy, histopatology, bio-chemical and toxicology tests.
The virology and bacteriology tests on lung tissues and the trachea showed the presence of Influenza A (H1N1) while tests on Influenza A (H5N1), dengue and leptospira were negative.
“We are still waiting for other test results and the cause of death will be confirmed once all the tests are complete,” he said.
Liow said 25 staff members of the medical centre in contact with the patient were ordered to self-quarantine themselves for seven days.
Seven of his room-mates and members of his study group at the college have been identified, and one of them had sought treatment for influenza symptoms.
The Ministry had carried out health checks at the college on Thursday, he said.
There were 18 new cases reported Thursday, 17 of them the result of local tranmissions and one was imported from a Malaysian returning from London.
Of the local transmissions, 13 were from four clusters in Malacca while the rest were isolated cases.
The four clusters -- Durian Daun Teachers Training College (five cases), Mara Foundation College (four cases), Mara Professional College hostel (three cases) and the Nilam Nursing School Bachang (one case) -- were ordered to close for seven days beginning Thursday.
Malaysia has a total of 939 cases with 573 (61%) imported and 366 local transmissions as of Thursday.
Of that figure, 11 (1%) received anti-viral treatment in hospitals, 922 cases had recovered and five cases (1%) received outpatient treatment at their homes.
On Thursday, The Straits Times in Singapore reported two more fatalities in the island republic, bringing its toll to three.
Both patients also had underlying medical conditions. They were a 13-year-old boy who had epilepsy and a 55-year-old man with motor neuron disease, a nerve disorder.
The first death, last Saturday, was of a 49-year-old man who had multiple health problems including diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol.

influenza map time line

on Monday, May 18, 2009

the A(H1N1) virus.


anyone who is interested in the timeline of the A(H1N1) can go to this link to view it. you must have flash player 9 installed.

A(H1N1) SWINE FLU. FAQs

What can I do?

What are the signs and symptoms of infection?

Early signs of influenza A(H1N1) are flu-like, including fever, cough, headache, muscle and joint pain, sore throat and runny nose, and sometimes vomiting or diarrhoea.

What can I do to protect myself from catching influenza A(H1N1)?

The main route of transmission of the new influenza A(H1N1) virus seems to be similar to seasonal influenza, via droplets that are expelled by speaking, sneezing or coughing. You can prevent getting infected by avoiding close contact with people who show influenza-like symptoms (trying to maintain a distance of about 1 metre if possible) and taking the following measures:

  • avoid touching your mouth and nose;
  • clean hands thoroughly with soap and water, or cleanse them with an alcohol-based hand rub on a regular basis (especially if touching the mouth and nose, or surfaces that are potentially contaminated);
  • avoid close contact with people who might be ill;
  • reduce the time spent in crowded settings if possible;
  • improve airflow in your living space by opening windows;
  • practise good health habits including adequate sleep, eating nutritious food, and keeping physically active.

What about using a mask? What does WHO recommend?

If you are not sick you do not have to wear a mask.

If you are caring for a sick person, you can wear a mask when you are in close contact with the ill person and dispose of it immediately after contact, and cleanse your hands thoroughly afterwards.

If you are sick and must travel or be around others, cover your mouth and nose.

Using a mask correctly in all situations is essential. Incorrect use actually increases the chance of spreading infection.

How do I know if I have influenza A(H1N1)?

You will not be able to tell the difference between seasonal flu and influenza A(H1N1) without medical help. Typical symptoms to watch for are similar to seasonal viruses and include fever, cough, headache, body aches, sore throat and runny nose. Only your medical practitioner and local health authority can confirm a case of influenza A(H1N1).

What should I do if I think I have the illness?

If you feel unwell, have high fever, cough or sore throat:

  • stay at home and keep away from work, school or crowds;
  • rest and take plenty of fluids;
  • cover your nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing and, if using tissues, make sure you dispose of them carefully. Clean your hands immediately after with soap and water or cleanse them with an alcohol-based hand rub;
  • if you do not have a tissue close by when you cough or sneeze, cover your mouth as much as possible with the crook of your elbow;
  • use a mask to help you contain the spread of droplets when you are around others, but be sure to do so correctly;
  • inform family and friends about your illness and try to avoid contact with other people;
  • If possible, contact a health professional before traveling to a health facility to discuss whether a medical examination is necessary.

What should I do if I need medical attention?

  • If possible, contact your health care provider before traveling to a health facility, and report your symptoms. Explain why you think you have influenza A (H1N1) (e.g. if you have recently traveled to a country where there is an outbreak in people). Follow the advice given to you.
  • If you cannot contact your health care provider before traveling to a health facility, tell a health care worker of your suspicion of infection immediately after arrival at the clinic or hospital.
  • Cover your nose and mouth during travel.

Should I go to work if I have the flu but am feeling OK?

No. Whether you have influenza A(H1N1) or a seasonal influenza, you should stay home and away from work through the duration of your symptoms. This is a precaution that can protect your work colleagues and others.

Can I travel?

If you are feeling unwell or have symptoms of influenza, you should not travel. If you have any doubts about your health, you should check with your health care provider.

(taken from the world health organisation).

on Friday, May 15, 2009

Malaysia confirms first case of A(H1N1) flu 

By FOONG PEK YEE and DHARMENDER SINGH


KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia on Friday confirmed its first case of the A(H1N1) flu in a 21-year-old student who returned from the United States on Wednesday morning.

All the 192 passengers on the Malaysia Airlines flight MH091 from Newark on Wednesday are urged to contact the Health Ministry by calling 03-88810200 or 03-88810300

Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said the case made Malaysia the 36th country to be affected by the virus.

“Malaysia is now on high alert,” said Liow, who is in London now, enroute to Geneva, for a World Health Organisation meeting. He added he would return earlier than his scheduled return next Friday.

Meanwhile, A statement by the Health Ministry's director-general, Dr. Ismail Merican, said the young man was hospitalised on Thursday for fever, sore throat and body aches.

Tests confirmed that he was infected with the A(H1N1) virus, the statement said. He is receiving anti-viral treatment and was in stable condition, it said.

Ismail said the ministry had contacted members of his family but they have not been placed under quarantine.

Ismail said his department was taking steps to protect public health and that there was no reason to panic.

Meanwhile, in Putrajaya, acting Health Minister Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha said later Friday that the fact that Malaysia’s first A(H1N1) patient managed to pass through the scanners at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) undetected was in no way indicative of scanners’ failure.

Kong said the scanners installed since the start of the global alert on the disease traced elevated body temperature levels in travellers coming into the country and did not pick out the 21-year-old student flying in from the United States as the symptoms were not showing yet.

He said the virus had a two to three day incubation period during which none of the symptoms linked to the disease were visible and that was why he passed undetected by the scanner after his flight landed at 7.15am on Wednesday.

He said the Health Ministry would continue to use the scanners at entry points and continue with all the precautionary measures it had taken since the global alert was first issued and there were no plans to tighten measures further.

“The ministry has taken all the possible precautionary measures to control and contain the disease after the WHO (World Health Organisation) issued a level five alert so we are calling on the public not to panic as the situation is under control.

“I also want to assure the people that we will make public any information related to the disease that we have just as we did with our first case confirmed today,” he said.

Meanwhile, Bernama reported that a man from Bukit Mertajam held under observation at the isolation ward of the Penang Hospital has been declared free of Influenza A (H1N1).

"We just got a report that the blood test on the 26-year-old man was negative," State Health, Welfare, Caring Society and Environment Committee chairman Phee Boon Poh said when contacted by Bernama Friday.

A test on a sample of his blood had been sent to Kuala Lumpur.

The man was kept for observation Thursday after he was found to have fever and symptoms similar to those of Influenza A (H1N1) on his return from the United States.

Two weeks ago, a New Zealand tourist was admitted to the isolation ward of the hospital for suspected Influenza A (H1N1) but a blood test also showed up negative.

taken from The Star Online.

i'm really am genuinely afraid for the health of m y family back in Sungai Buloh. Considering i have been living in sg buloh for almost my entire life i know the situation there is not good. there are a lot of legal and illegal immigrants from indonesia,myanmar,bangladesh, pakistan and other countries. that and also the risk of a highly transferable deases in such a small community that i am really affraid that it will spread like wild fire. 

i have been in situation where a highly contagious desease was spreading and i had to go a 10 day quarantine period to determine either i'm infected or not and i can tell you this it is not a pleasant ordeal.  


Save the dogs

on Thursday, May 14, 2009


this story has been circulating around for about 2 weeks now and it has garnered a lot of attention from the general public and also from politicians who are just wanting for some free publicity to boost their images.(that is why i don't vote. i hate hypocrites aka politicians).

for the whole story and updates please go to this website

Trust????

on Monday, May 4, 2009

a friend of mind is going through some really tough times in a relationship. i can only say that it is apart of life and everybody will go through it. to my friend i dedicate this song to you.

Lost in a dream
Nothing is what it seems
Searching my head
For the words that you said
Tears filled my eyes
As we said our last goodbyes
The sad scene replays
Of you walking away

My body aches from mistakes
Betrayed by lust
We lied to each other so much
That in nothing we trust

Time and again
She repeats lets be friends
I smile and say yes
Another truth bends,
I must confess

I try to let go, but I know
Well never end til were dust
We lied to each other again
But I wish I could trust

My body aches from mustakes
Betrayed by lust
We lied to each other so much
That in nothing we trust

God help me please, on my knees
Betrayed by lust
We lied to each other so much
Now theres nothing we trust

How could this be happening to me
Im lying when I say, trust me
I cant believe this is true
Trust hurts
Why does trust equal suffering

Absolutely nothing we trust

Playing for Change

on Thursday, April 30, 2009

Found this website by accident and i have to say that it is really interesting the concept and not to mention the wonderful rendition of familiar tunes by the various artist that are featured in the songs. some of the artist are not familiar to us because they are street artists or buskers from all over the world. here are 3 videos that are available at youtube.


song title: don't worry


song title : stand by me


song title: one love



there are to many performers and artist that are involved until i can't list them all but if you wish to know more then you can go to their home page

until then enjoy their music.

touching short film

on Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Chicken a la Carte 

Director: Ferdinand Dimadura | Genre: Drama | Produced In: 2005

Synopsis: This film is about the hunger and poverty brought about by Globalization. There are 10,000 people dying everyday due to hunger and malnutrition. This short film shows a forgotten portion of the society. The people who live on the refuse of men to survive. What is inspiring is the hope and spirituality that never left this people.


so everybody, just think before wanting to throw away that peice of chicken or ordering you next meal so that you don;t waste. pity the children of the world who dies because of poverty and malnutrition.

Cheap Laptops and IT Peripherals



Found this blog that is having a sale on laptop s and it peripherals. the price is resonable and they have alot of other IT related stuff too such as antivirus and the other stuff. 
Have alook at their web which is www.finesttech.blogspot.com.

here are some stuff that is currently on sale on their site.



<-------Lenovo T5800 @ RM2400
















Lenovo IdeaPad S10 @ RM1550->











<-----Presario CQ40-401AU @ RM1860









There is a bunch of other models on sale so please have a look for yourself.

way to go Lim Kit Siang

i'm not in to politic nor am i a registered voter because i hate the antics of these people or so called " choosen by democracy" lot but this news headline in The Star today really made me think that there some really intelligent behind all of their childsihness.


i have express my views regarding the quality of the internet in Malaysia which is a dismay considering that malaysia is trying to become a develope nation by the year 2020 yet out internet facilities are really out of date.

the article that makes my heart jump in delight was this :


PETALING JAYA: The Information, Communications and Culture Minister must focus on providing better broadband service, says DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang.

He said the roll-out of broadband in the country had been slow, and Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim, in his new portfolio, should strive to be the “Minister for Broadband”,

Lim said he was shocked that Dr Rais had not uttered a single word about broadband in his 12 days of helming the ministry.

“It should be his most important portfolio especially at a time when there is so much broadband development internationally,” said Lim during a press conference yesterday.

He added that Malaysia would be crippled if there was no real minister for broadband.

On media freedom, Lim said Dr Rais should not try to bring back the old media controls which would be at odds with pledges made by the Najib administration.

Lim was referring to recent statements by Dr Rais which, amongst other things, had cautioned about legal actions against errant bloggers and stern warnings to the public to not abuse the Internet.

This article alone sums up my expectations regarding the future of the internet in malaysia. there is a new minister in office i really hope that he would make broadband and high speed broadband his first priority instead of attending to meaningless functions or launching or meeting of beurocratics shenanigans. 

for once i would really like to see tmnet to be put straight and focus on providing quality services instead of excuses and idiotic T&C which they are so popular off.

hopes things will change. i really hope that things will change. 

Grave of the fireflies

on Tuesday, April 21, 2009

anybody who is really in to anime should know this legendary movie "Grave of the fireflies".

this is a AMV that is like a synopsis of the movie.



The story goes like this :

Taking place toward the end of World War II in Japan, Grave of the Fireflies is the poignant tale of the relationship between two orphaned children, Seita (清太) and his younger sister Setsuko (節子).

The children lose their mother in the firebombing of Kobe, and their father in service to the Imperial Japanese Navy, and as a result they are forced to try to survive amidst widespread famine and the callous indifference of their countrymen (some of whom are their own extended family members).

The movie begins in Sannomiya Station, and shows the second main character: Seita, dying from starvation there in rags. A janitor comes and digs through his things, and finds a candy tin, containing Setsuko's ashes. He throws it out, and from there springs the spirit of Setsuko, Seita and a group of fireflies. The two spirits provide narrative throughout the story.

The film is, in effect, an extended flashback to Japan, at the end of World War II during the Kobe firebombings. Setsuko and Seita, the two siblings and protagonists, are left to secure the house and their belongings, allowing their mother, suffering from a heart complaint to proceed to a bomb shelter. They are caught off-guard by a batch of bombs dropped in their vicinity, although they survive unscathed. Their mother, however, is caught in the air raid and dies from burn wounds.

Having nowhere else to go, Setsuko and Seita go to live with their aunt, and write letters to their father. On the second day that they stay there, Seita goes out to get the left over supplies which he had buried in the ground to preserve before the bombing which killed their mother. He gives all of it to his aunt, but hides a small tin of fruit drops. This tin of fruit drops later proves a recurrent icon in the film.

Following cruelty from their aunt, who gives them barely enough food, insults them and sells their mother's kimonos for rice, which she keeps for herself, Seita and Setsuko finally decide to go and live in an old, abandoned bomb shelter.

Gradually, they begin to run out of rice, and Setsuko begins to starve. In desperation, Seita removes all the money from their mother's bank account, when he learns of his father's death. He buys a large quantity of food, and rushes back to the shelter, where he finds Setsuko hallucinating. She is sucking marbles which she believes are fruit drops and offers him 'rice balls' which are really only made out of mud.

Finally, she dies of starvation. Seita cremates her, using supplies donated to him by a farmer and leaves her ashes in the fruit tin, which he carries with his father's photograph, until his death.


i would really recommend this movie to everybody but if you are the moody type or easily touch by emotions i would warn you to stay away from this movie because you will be crying rivers like i did when i first say the movie many years ago and the images in that movie (the sadness, the human reaction ) is just to much for me to bear.



this is the scene that made me cry.

if you are interested you can get it online via ebay or amazon.

Proton Exora

on Monday, April 20, 2009

The highly anticipated MPV from Proton has been launched and it is called the Proton Exora. It looks like the APX Concept release by Lotus Engineering in 2006.

below are the two models.




<-------------This is the APX Concept.












This is the Proton Exora --->


well to be fair, lotus did came up with the APX concept as a platform for any manufacturer that was interested in it. the good thing about this platform that it is highly customizable to the car manufacturer with loads of layout that can be made for the chassis.

i had the time to go and check out the exora. the model that i have a look at was the 1.6 auto metallic m line. price at 70k++ depending on your interest rates.

i didn't took any external pictures as you can see them easily as an Exora past by so i took internal pictures. things that just not easily seen by normal people.

From exora


as you can see the Exora is a seven seater mpv and surprise-surprise the second and third row seats can fold down to create a flat even surface for laoding alot of luggage.

From exora


a cubby hole is located underneath the third row seats. gud for keeping first aids kits or anything else.

From exora


as you can see the lacking of the glove box in the proton iswara/saga blm and gen 2 was really notice by Proton and so they design not 1 but 2 glove boxes in to the Exora.

From exora


rear passengers are given their own air cond vents and the controller is sadly on the roof at the second row seat. but at least it is comfortable even in the third row unlike the toyota avanza where the third row seat is better off to children then adult being on them.

From exora


unfortunately the Exora only comes with 1 engine option and 1 gearbox option which is the 1.6 Campro CPS and a 4 speed auto box (as pic below)
From exora

. the gear lever is a gated type so you dont have to push any buttons on the lever to get into gear just push,pull and slide to either prefered gear. the gear lever action is really light and solid.

From exora


more cubby holes. there is 10 drink holders around the Exora but i only manage to find these.

From exora


new integrated cd player and radio with bluetooth support for phone by clarion . real positive move by proton to promote road safety by integrating the bluetooth system into their radio. the call can be made via the steering wheel. the radio also has an aux port so that you can also connect you media players (mp3/mp4/ipods) to the radio.

From exora


the normal controls for aircond, hazrad light and windows de-mister.

From exora


the cockpit panel. nice reddish glow. quite sporty if you ask me but in an MPV it just look strange.

conclusion.

well inmy honest opinion, the Exora has a lot to live up to. it is the most crucial product after the new proton saga that has to make people believe in proton again. the value for money is really good but i do think that the price could be cheaper and also more items as standard such as sat-nav(which is only available in the H-line)and also an overhead dvd player with screen (which is also in the H-line models.)

The engine could have been a bigger capacity. i was hoping for a 2.0 v6 but only a 1.6 Campro. it really makes me wonder because proton have a good relationship with Renault why didn't we use 1 of their engines to power the Exora like proton did for the Savvy.

i will buy it. that is my honest opinion. and i'm not paid by proton to say this but i would buy it if i
  1. have a growing family.
  2. travel alot.
  3. always bring alot of stuf.
  4. have alot of pets(dogs/cats) that follows me everywhere i go.
  5. like to bring my whole family for road trips.
  6. like to bring my buddies for teh tarik,football, etc sessions.
  7. not looking for something that is more stylish.
  8. and i'm able to stand the mockery of other people saying that proton builds bad cars which they do once in a while.
Have a good day everyone.

congratulations

on Thursday, April 16, 2009

i would like to welcome baby Nurdina Athirah who was born on the 15 of April 2009 to this awesome world.

congratulations to amad and sue on thier first child. pictures will come as soon as they send it to me.

Gundam OO

on Tuesday, April 14, 2009

part 1

synopsis



Mobile Suit Gundam 00 (機動戦士ガンダム00(ダブルオー) Kidō Senshi Gandamu Daburu Ō?) is the seventh incarnation of Sunrise's long-running Gundam franchise.


It is directed by Seiji Mizushima and written by Yōsuke Kuroda, and features character designs by Yun Kōga. The twenty-five episode series was officially announced by Sunrise during a 15-second trailer on June 2, 2007.

The series aired on the Mainichi Broadcasting System and Tokyo Broadcasting System from October 5, 2007 to March 29, 2008. On July 13, 2008, a trailer announcing a second twenty-five episode series was aired.

The second series began on October 5, 2008 and concluded on March 29, 2009. A movie sequel is planned for the year 2010.

Mobile Suit Gundam 00 is the first Gundam series to be animated in widescreen and in high-definition, as well as the first to be set in the non-fictional Anno Domini era.

The series is set in a futuristic Earth and centered around Celestial Being, a private paramilitary force and their efforts to rid the world of war and conflict with a series of unique and highly effective mobile suits known as "Gundams".

Google Chrome

on Sunday, April 12, 2009

i've been using Google Chrome for about a month now and this is my review on it.

1. Really nice layout. clean no messy nav bars but can be intimidating to those who are used to Firefox and IE. There is an address bar but it also doubles up as a search bar too.

2. difficult to clean the download history. it is not in the download windows such as Firefox but in the customize and control Google Chrome sections.

3. Downloading is nice. speed difference is obvious from Firefox. faster(at least i feel it faster). have a nice little graphic to show how much have been downloaded.

4. Doesn't have integration with Free Download Manager. so if your using Free Download Manager like me then you have to do it manually.

5. i like the layout when you open a new tab. it displays 9 off the most visited sites that you go and also the most recent closed tabs also the book marks. you can even search you history via the history search tab.

6. low memory consumption. unlike forefox, chrome is very prudent in utilizing memory.

7. the click action is lacking or lagging. i'm not sure if this is due to my mouse of the browser itself.

that is all i have to say for now about firefox. if you are interested in using Google Chrome the download link is on the right.

thank you for reading.

my brute

join mybrute.

a simple 2d fighting game where you just have to click and watch all the action happen.

here is the link : Mybrute


site updated

on Saturday, April 11, 2009

i have make a new face for this blog.

someone told me that my blog was colourless so i put some thought into it and find a nice template as you can see from this orange hue. i also put up several links to popular applications such as winamp, flash players and other stuff that might be essential to make it the internet much more enjoyable.

i also deleted and entry becoz i was too lazy to redo the coding on that entry so it is gone to accommodate the new template.

i would really would like and comment and suggestion regarding this new layout so please feel free to comment.

HAIH. MALAYSIA'S INTERNET................

on Thursday, April 9, 2009



this is the most recent speed test that i did using speednet.com

i'm currently speechless over the current internet quality in malaysia.
we are striving(trying) to be a develop nation by 2020 but out IT infra are just to ancient.

i'm currently having a lot of difficulties in accessing the internet. i really don;t understand why we as paying customers have to bear with idiotic internet speeds. i can;t use other service providers because there are non available in my part of the woods.

i have heard of lease lines and so called business lines from tmnet but the prices are exorbant. is this the malaysian way?? put high price for commodities that the people really needs? not only the internet but water and electricity tariffs are also going up but how come we don't hear the utilities company posing losses. which means they are making profits and does the profits profits the users? no they profits the managers and higer ups of the company.

if wishes do come true, i wish that malaysia would have a true, and united rakyat taht will voice out their displeasure with confidence and knowing that the goverment would hear the pleas and cries and actually do something about it then bickering about in the dewan rakyat like kindergarden pupils or to be more specifically like dogs fighting over a bitch.

to our elected MPs. stop your foolishness and do your job before you are asked on your death bed what have you done to help the people that put you into power.

najib's new cabinet.

Najib names 28-member Cabinet (Update 3)

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak's new Cabinet will have 28 members. Two ministries have been abolished.

New Cabinet line-up: Prime Minister and Finance Minister 1 - Najib

Deputy PM and Education Minister - Muhyiddin

Finance Minister 2 - Ahmad Husni

Ministers in PM dept - Nazri, Nor Yaakob, Koh Tsu Koon and Jamil

Transport - Ong Tee Keat

Maximus Ongkili - Science and Technology

Ahmad Zahid Hamidi - Defence

Hishammuddin - Home

Shafie Apdal - Rural Development

Kong Cho Ha - Housing and Local Govt

Liow Tiong Lai - Health

Ng Yen Yen - Tourism

S. Subramaniam - Human Resource

Douglas Uggah - Natural Resources and Environment

Shahrizat - Women, Family and Community Development

Mustapa Mohamed - International Trade and Industry

Khaled Nordin - Higher Education

Rais Yatim - Information, Unity, Culture and Arts

Noh Omar - Agriculture

Shahziman Mansor - Works

Ismail Sabri - Domestic Trade

Ahmad Shabery Cheek - Sports

Anifah Aman - Foreign

Raja Nong Chik - Federal Territories

Earlier Najib left Istana Terengganu at about 11.25am after a 30-min audience with King regarding the new Cabinet line-up expected to be announced 3pm Thursday.

Najib arrived at the palace 10.57am to submit the list to Tuanku Mizan and left about 30 minutes later without stopping to speak to the media representatives waiting outside the gate.

He is scheduled to announce the new cabinet lineup in Putrajaya at 3pm. The new ministers and deputy ministers will take their oath of office at Istana Negara at 9.30am Friday.

Umno sources earlier said that Najib had spent the last five days juggling names and positions to take into consideration the requests and views of various Barisan Nasional component parties.

It is speculated that there could be as many as seven new faces in the line-up – most of them from Umno, while the party itself may give up a few ministerial posts.

Up till Wednesday evening, several Barisan component leaders had met with Najib and Umno deputy president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who will be named Deputy Prime Minister Thursday.

The message Najib had for all of them was the same – that Umno was giving up quite a number of posts and that they should also be willing to make sacrifices.

Najib is expected to downsize his Cabinet, which now has 27 ministries and 31 ministers.

At present, Umno has 22 ministers, the MCA four, and the MIC, Upko, SUPP, PBB and PBS one each.

The new Cabinet is expected to have between 20 and 24 ministries, with no more than 27 ministers. Several ministries are expected to be merged.

Insiders said the ministries which could be merged are Tourism with Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage; Education with Higher Education; Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs with International Trade and Industry; and Agriculture and Agro-Based Industries with Plantation Industries and Commodities.

There have also been suggestions that the Federal Territories Ministry be merged with the Housing and Local Government portfolio.

Three ministries – Works; Energy, Water and Communications and Science, Technology and Innovation – could also be merged into two ministries.

This means that seven new ministries will be created from 13 merged ones.

source: href="http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/4/9/nation/20090409114244&sec=nation">

speednet test speed

on Wednesday, April 8, 2009


well looks like the line is picking up.
but it is 1230 in the morning.

my internet speed by speednet.

on Tuesday, April 7, 2009

i'm making this post as a reference to the internet connection in my area for the whole week. it will be done at 9.30am, 1.00pm, 5.00pm, and if possible 12.00 am.


this is 9.30 for today.



taken at 8.57pm. getting slower.

to my wife

on Monday, April 6, 2009

most of my friends know that i just got married on the 25th of january 2009. but due to the matter that i'm working far away from my wife life can get really lonely and put a strain on the relationship.

i was watching macross frontier and herd this song. it sums up what i feel inside. so i dedicate this song to my lovely wife.



hope you enjoy it honey.

Mukah

Went to mukah yesterday due to some business there. the last time i went there was a year ago.
It is to my knowledge that there are some major road works that have been going on for years. it is the upgrading of the road linking mukah to the main bintulu-sibu road. after a year of not going there i expected that the road condition have gotten better but i was really surprise when i reach the junction. it has gotten worst.

these are the pictures that i manage to take while being bounce all over in my 4x4.

From mukah 2009

notice the heavy vehicles that are also using the road. it just makes the road worse.

here are more pictures.

From mukah 2009


From mukah 2009


the road is not that long it is about 30 km but it took me about an hour plus just to get to the end.

finally i reach mukah. nice coastal village. is at best to describe it. i can't say a city eventhou they called it bandar mukah because it is really small for a "bandar".

these are some of the pictures of bandar mukah.

From mukah 2009

the fish market
From mukah 2009

the fish here a really fresh and really cheap.
From mukah 2009

this guy was selling a local delicacy called Umai. basically it is raw fish salad. other ingrediant are onions, chillies, limau kasturi, kuih kacang tumbuk, some salt and sagu. it is really nice if it is eaten fresh but taste horrible if it is not.

mukah is divided into 2 parts from my own observation.

first is the old town where the fish market, a cineplex and the old bust station is located. the second part of mukah is the new town which basically is a new town. the buildings are very modern looking. it is really a contrast of the development that is being done there.

old part of mukah.

From mukah 2009

this used to be the bus station. now it is a parking lot. notice the buildings in the background that is the old commercial district. still in business.
From mukah 2009

this is a cineplex. the entrance is from the side.
From mukah 2009

this is the mukah food court. the old one. sits beside the batang mukah (mukah river). fishing vessels use the river as a passage to the sea.

From mukah 2009

From mukah 2009

From mukah 2009

the river mouth that leads to the south china sea.

this are pictures of the new part of mukah.

From mukah 2009

the mukah mosque. now known as the masjid pehin setia raja. don;t ask me why it is called that way.
From mukah 2009
a picture inside the mosque.
From mukah 2009

mukah's clock tower.

From mukah 2009

the menara pehin setia raja.
From mukah 2009

the new commercial center.
From mukah 2009

and a landmark of mukah. the famous batang mukah bridge.

there was a bus that skidded of the road due to the poor road conditions. i pass by the accident site just moment after it happen and this is the only pictures that i got.

From mukah 2009

this was in the middle of nowhere with no houses located in a 5km radius. i really don;t know what happen to the passengers or when they were rescued.

well that is all. have a nice day.