There is a possibility that over 140,000 Malaysians have been infected with the recent outbreak of Influenza A(H1N1), according to a report of the New Straits Times, and quoted by Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, he added that this possible statistic was based on the number of confirmed cases reported by the ministry since May.

Expressing sadness at the 69 deaths so far, he said 70 per cent of those who died had co-morbid conditions such as heart disease, hypertension and low-immunity while 27 per cent came late for treatment. However, he included that there were also cases where the patient was confirmed to be infected with the dangerous flu, but recovered and were allowed to return home, such was the case where an elderly man confirmed positive had to be in ICU for 25 days but recovered and returned home.

Citing the latest death reported, he said, a 38-year-old teacher had sought treatment at a private clinic on Aug 13 for fever and cough which she had for two days. “The rapid test done revealed that she was positive forA(H1N1),  but the doctor just treated her with medication for her cough and fever without prescribing Tamiflu despite her being obese and falling in the vulnerable category.” Five days later, he added, the teacher suffered breathing difficulty and cyanosis (a blue discolouration of the skin and mucous membranes) and initially sought treatment at a private hospital before being transferred to Kuala Lumpur Hospital.

It wasn’t until it was too late that the medical compilation made the body weaker and eventually claimed her life due to pneumonia. Such deaths are not caused by the flu, but by the unnecessary prescription of wrong medical drugs and weakened the body immunity, leaving little or no chance of recovery.

“If the general practitioner had strictly adhered to our guidelines and put her on Tamiflu, she may not have died,” said Liow, adding he would meet doctors in the private sector this week to discuss the issue.