The Ministry of Health has confirmed four new cases of Influenza A (H1N1), bringing the total in the country to 29 cases.

• The 26th case is an 18-year-old female and the 27th case is a 17-year-old female. Both patients who are siblings were passengers on the flight BI098 which arrived in Brunei Darussalam on the 24th June 2009 from London, via Dubai. They developed symptoms on the 26 June 2009 and seek treatment the following day.

• The 28th case is a 38-year-old female and the 29th case is a 3-year-old female. Both are contacts to case 24 (ie. a 35-year-old male passenger on the flight BI089 which arrived in Brunei Darussalam on the 24th June 2009 from the United Kingdom, London, via Dubai).

Meanwhile, five confirmed cases of Influenza A (H1N1) previously reported has recovered and discharged from Pengiran Muda Mahkota Pengiran Muda Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah Hospital, Tutong. This brings the total number of patients that has recovered and discharged to ten (10) patients.

The Ministry of Health wishes to inform the public, out of the 29 confirmed cases, a total number of 209 close contacts needs to be quarantined for 7 days. These contacts do not have symptoms. However due to their exposure to the cases needs to be isolated and given tamiflu for preventive treatment. Majority of these contacts are quarantined in their own respective homes.

Once again, Ministry of Health continues to advise the public who has recently returned from overseas trip to voluntarily reduce social activities and interactions for 7 days. Members of the public are also advised to monitor their health and seek immediate medical attention if they develop symptoms. Precautionary steps by practicing good personal hygiene should be practiced at all times. For further inqueries and information, the public can contact the healthline 145 during office hours and 8220991 during none working hours.

IN COURTESY OF THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH OF BRUNEI DARUSSALAM