Minister of Health Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Hj Suyoi Hj Osman said that there was no longer any reason to keep them under surveillance after all tests for Influenza A (H1N1) returned negative.

The minister said that all three patients, including the 200 previously quarantined passengers, have now resumed their previous original plans and are now "where they should be".

A chartered flight carrying about 200 passengers, travelling from the United Kingdom to Brunei were quarantined on May 4 after one of the passengers had higher than normal temperature.

On the same day, two passengers with travel history to affected countries, such as Mexico, also landed in the country.

Pehin Dato Hj Suyoi explained that with the three cases, it was essential for precautionary measures to quarantine other passengers on the same flight, however all quarantine and isolation orders have now been lifted.

"There is no reason to keep them here anymore," said the minister during his visit to the isolation ward at the Pengiran Muda Mahkota Pengiran Muda Hj Al-Muhtadee Billah Hospital in Tutong yesterday.

The visit was to further update the minister on the ministry's steps and preparations in treating and managing infectious diseases such as Influenza A (H1N1).

Upon arrival, the minister was given a temperature check at one of the flu desks set up for precautionary measures.

He was then led to the medical equipment and medicinal storage area where he inspected different types and uses of the equipment, as well as the course and duration of the different medications, including Tamiflu tablets and Relenza inhalers, which have been effective in other countries thus far.

Currently, Brunei has stock of 101,573 Tamiflu packs, capable of treating approximately one-third of Brunei's population. Another 40,000 packs have been ordered to increase coverage capacity to 40 per cent.

The next stop on the minister's visit was the screening room of the hospital's accident and emergency wing.

Pehin Dato Hj Suyoi then visited the Hospital Emergency Operations Room, which will serve as the meeting room during outbreak emergencies. Latest updates from the World Health Organisation are also posted in the room.

The minister also made his way to the isolation ward, set aside for individuals at high risk of infection from Influenza A.

The minister expressed his delight on the success of the isolation ward in handling the three isolated patients.

"The isolation facility has been here since the avian flu and ever since we have maintained it to be of international standard... so we are very happy with how things have been organised," he said.

Patients entering the isolation ward will immediately be asked to wear a surgical mask before being led to the designated rooms placed in an ante room which functions as a barrier to prevent any pathogen from escaping to the external environment, before being shown their designated rooms or bays.

In Courtesy of The Brunei Times