Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Girl, 3, becomes ninth fatality in M'sia

Wed, Aug 05, 2009
The New Straits Times


MALACCA, Malaysia - A 3-year-old girl was confirmed as the nation's ninth fatality from influenza A (H1N1) yesterday.

The girl died at Malacca Hospital's intensive care unit at 4.30pm on Monday but test results only confirmed the cause of death yesterday.

According to the medical report, the girl from Sungai Rambai in Jasin, died due to H1N1 with severe pneumonia.

State Health Department director Dr Ghazali Othman confirmed the case but declined further comment.

It was understood that the victim was referred to Malacca Hospital on Friday after seeking treatment at a private specialist hospital in the state.

The girl's mother said the eldest of her two daughters had been having a fever since July 26 and sought treatment at the private hospital two days later.

"The doctor at the private hospital said that her condition was quite bad and her throat was sore. They administered some antibiotics for her fever and cough and she was discharged.

"After a few days, I took her back to the same hospital for follow-up treatment. After some checks and an X-ray was done, the doctor informed me that my daughter's lungs were infected by some germs and she was referred to the Malacca Hospital.

"She was placed in the ICU and on Monday she died," she said, unable to control her tears, at the family home.

She said this was the third time her daughter was infected with pneumonia.

Meanwhile, some 250 students of SK Serkam Darat in Merlimau were reported to be showing flu-like symptoms.

It is understood that the school had been ordered to close for a week, effective yesterday, and the students placed under home quarantine.
hat-tip Shiloh

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