Update 11.08.09: Sarawak records 13 new cases of Influenza A (H1N1), a huge percentage involving educational institutions - all the more reason for us to be vigilant.
According to today’s issue of The Borneo Post, a total of 13 new cases of Influenza A (H1N1) were recorded yesterday, with a huge percentage of them involving educational institutions. This gives us at Curtin Sarawak all the more reason to be wary of the threat posed by the Influenza A (H1N1) virus.
SMK Teknik Matang Kuching, SK Sacred Heart Sibu, SMK Kwong Hua Sibu and Nursing College Sibu have one case each. SK St. Mary Sibu has three cases, while two other cases are in Miri.
PLKN Putra Sentosa became the fourth National Service (NS) camp in Sarawak to be found positive for Influenza A (H1N1) with four new cases. This follows PLKN Bau, which was the first NS camp in Sarawak to close after four people tested positive for the virus earlier this month. PLKN Bukit Saban, Betong and Sungai Rait, Miri reportedly had suspected cases, but no details are available.
Last week, a total of 20 NS camps all over the country were ordered to close by the Health Ministry. All outstation trainees were sent home and will be relocated to the nearest NS camps when sessions resume.
Update 04.08.09: Mirian first Influenza A (H1N1) casualty in Sarawak.
Please be extra vigilant.
With news of the state’s first Influenza (H1N1) casualty in Miri on 3 August 2009, students and staff of Curtin Sarawak are urged to take the Influenza A (H1N1) threat seriously and be extra vigilant, both on campus and at home, of the spread of the disease.
You are reminded to practice healthy habits such as washing your hands often, especially after sneezing and coughing, and reporting any clinical symptoms of Influenza A (H1N1) such as fever, cough, headache, muscle and joint pain, sore throat and runny nose, and possibly vomiting and diarrhea, immediately to the Campus Health & First Aid Centre.
Campus Health Officer Sheryl Mattu can be contacted at ext. 3217 or 019-885 6233. If Sheryl cannot be contacted, please contact Dr. Adeline Wong at ext. 3802 or the Campus Hotline at ext. 3930.
The state’s first casualty was a 23-year-old pregnant woman who was warded at Miri Hospital on July 17 after testing positive for Influenza A (H1N1), and delivered her baby a few days later. She passed away due to pneumonia. Fortunately, her baby is fine and free of Influenza A (H1N1).
Sarawak has now recorded 110 local transmissions and 25 imported cases of Influenza (H1N1). 15 are warded, with 11 from Kuching, 3 from Miri and one from Marudi. There are also 165 cases pending results.
Five schools and four institutions of higher learning have closed due to Influenza (H1N1), and there seems to be an increasing number of local transmissions.
Update 22.07.09: Curtin Sarawak student with suspected case of swine flu fully recovered
There has been one suspected case of Swine Flu on our campus. The international student concerned experienced symptoms and reported himself to university staff who immediately sent him to Miri Hospital for tests and observation. His condition was found to be not serious and he was subsequently advised to place himself in self-quarantine for at least 5 days, which he did.
He is now fully recovered. All persons that he was in contact with have also undergone self-quarantine as a precaution.
Curtin Sarawak is presently on high alert for any cases of suspected Influenza A (H1N1) infection amongst its students and staff. We are carrying out an extensive Swine Flu awareness campaign on campus and protocols for the prevention and detection of cases, which all students and staff are expected to follow, have been in place for the past month.
The University has a full-time Health Officer who is monitoring the situation closely and screening all students and staff returning for the new semester. She is also working closely with the local health authorities on further prevention measures and contingencies should there be any confirmed cases.
All students undergoing orientation for the new semester are being briefed on the measures and are expected to report any signs of illness to the Campus Health Officer.
Should you feel ill or are experiencing any flu symptoms, please contact Campus Health Officer Sheryl Mattu at the Health & First Aid Centre (ext. 3217 or 019-885 6233) immediately.
