A Viral Infected Malaysia

By now, you would have heard and read much about the fast and spreading Influenza A desease which is caused by the H1N1 virus. The last nearest country that was infected was Thailand. Today, it is confirmed that the H1N1 virus has officially reached our Malaysian shores.

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Malaysia 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. He said, "Malaysia is now on high alert".

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Meanwhile, a statement by the Health Ministry's director-general, Dr. Ismail Merican, said the young man was hospitalised yesterday for fever, sore throat and body aches. Tests confirmed that he was infected with the A(H1N1) virus. He is receiving anti-viral treatment and was in stable condition.

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And as we all know, we also have cases of meningitis at the Road Transport Department Academy in Malacca. But that is old news.

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If that is not enough, news today confirmed that 29 trainees from the Police Training Centre (Pulapah) in Air Hitam, Seremban (the Penang one is called Air Itam) have been put under observation at the Jempol Hospital after one of their colleague died yesterday of acute pericarditis, a viral infection of the sac surrounding the heart.

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Dr Ismail Merican said today that two others have been admitted to an isolation ward at the same hospital and are in stable condition. Dr Ismail said the health authorities were still investigating how the victim got infected.

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And if that is still insufficient, we have one more! A 21-year-old Myanmar illegal immigrant from the Juru Detention Camp died of leptospirosis in Bukit Mertajam Hospital on Tuesday. 24 people were admitted at the Bukit Mertajam Hospital and another 2 at the Seberang Jaya Hospital.

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Leptospirosis is a rare, severe, and contagious bacterial infection caused by exposure to the bacteria which can be found in fresh water contaminated by animal urine. It occurs in warm climates. A statement from the Health Ministry said that the Myanmar immigrant was hospitalised on May 7 suffering from fever, lethargy and other symptoms consistent with Leptospirosis.

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So now, we have 4 "no joke" viral cases here in Malaysia. Perak's political tug-of-war situation is in a mess! Our country's economy is not getting better. The weather is so hot! Truly, this is Malaysia Boleh!

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New Zealand, here I come!!! Woohoo...