24 H1N1 cases: Biggest spike in a day

BRUNEI recorded 24 cases of Influenza A (H1N1) yesterday, the highest number in a day since the Sultanate's first infection, bringing the total number of infections to 66, with one being a possible result of community transmission.

The Minister of Health (picture) said that there has been a significant increase in the number of infections in the country in the past two days.

"We confirmed 10 new cases on June 30 and 24 new cases today," said Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Hj Suyoi Haji Osman, adding that such an increase is worrying.

During a press conference at the ministry yesterday, he also spoke of the possibility of Brunei having its first case of community transmission of the pandemic in the form of a 15-year-old teenager.

"(The teenager) has no prior travel history and have had no contact with any of the confirmed patients of Influenza A (H1N1), so there is a chance that this one case could be a community transmission," he said.

Pehin Dato Hj Suyoi added that the spread of the infection will be difficult to stop once there is community transmission. "This is what we are dreading so we have been working hard to inform people to take appropriate measures," said the minister.

However, he remained upbeat that the severity of the infection can be controlled and limited.

"We don't have to stop whatever we are doing and start living in fear, as long as we work together to ensure that it doesn't spread," he said.

According to the minister, 30 cases of the infection came from travels, 24 through contact with infected patients and 12 cases were still under investigation.

Statistics stated that Brunei-Muara District has the highest number of confirmed infections with 41, followed by Belait with 16, Tutong and Temburong with four each and one who was detected through transit.

Pehin Dato Hj Suyoi also said that 49 were Bruneians, while 11 were foreigners. The remaining six could not be confirmed during press time.

The minister said that the pandemic is expected to last two years, based on previous experiences with infectious disease cycles.

"But in these two years, a lot of changes will happen. What we are hoping for is that the vaccine will soon be available so we can treat the pandemic with ease," he said.

He added that the disease might remain mild so patients can recover with treatment, however, there is also a possibility that the viral strain can mutate into a more dangerous form.The Brunei Times