39 new H1N1 cases recorded on Feb 9

INFLUENZA A (H1N1) infections yesterday hit their highest daily number this year in Brunei Darussalam, with new cases hitting 39.

That was the number as of 6pm yesterday, according to the Ministry of Health.

The number surpasses the 36 new H1N1 infections recorded on February 1.

With 39 new infections recorded, the number of H1N1 cases recorded for this month alone rose to 233.

News reports on Tuesday quoted the Minister of Health Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Hj Suyoi Hj Osman saying the increase was not worrying and that the ministry would not switch to any drastic measures.

The ministry and Minister Pehin Dato Hj Suyoi had repetitively called on the public to get vaccinated against the H1N1 virus at respective health centres.

The ministry also stressed the need for observing good personal hygiene and covering the mouth when coughing or sneezing as the virus can enter the nose, eyes or throat of another person.

The ministry yesterday continued its mass vaccination programme which not only covers members of the public, civil servants, private sectors but now includes schools.

The vaccination drive is going on for secondary schools in the Brunei-Muara District. There is still no official statement and figure from the Ministry of Education on the vaccination schedules for schools in the four districts. However, an official from the ministry said the vaccination period for students would continue until March.

The Health Ministry has set up several vaccination centres nationwide including at Jubli Perak Health Centre in Sengkurong, the Ong Sum Ping Health Centre in the capital, Berakas "A" Health Centre in Anggerek Desa, Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha (Ripas) Hospital, Pengiran Muda Mahkota Pengiran Muda Hj Al-Muhtadee Billah Hospital in Tutong, Suri Seri Begawan Hospital and Sungai Liang Health Centre in Belait, and Pengiran Isteri Hajah Mariam Hospital in Temburong. For more information on Influenza A(H1N1)and the vaccine, the public can call 145 during working hours and 7180991 after working hours. H1N1 common symptoms are fatigue, muscle aches, sore throat, headache, decreased appetite, runny nose and almost always accompanied by cough and fever. An H1N1 case will sometimes suffer nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.

The Brunei Times