8th March, 2011

KUALA LUMPUR: Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai confirmed yesterday the influenza outbreak at the Kuala Lumpur Police Training College (Pulapol) is not H1N1.

He said a team of medical experts had been despatched to the training college on Sunday to carry out an investigation after 39 of its trainees reported to suffer from influenza-like illness (ILI).

“The situation there is under control,” he said.

The first batch of 22 police trainees were down with influenza-like symptoms on Saturday, and 17 more on Sunday, with four being were warded in the intensive care unit, he told reporters after attending the opening of the first meeting of the fourth term of the 12th Parliament by Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin at the Parliament House, here yesterday.

Liow said none of the cases were confirmed to be either H1N1 or leptospirosis.

“We suspected it could be viral infection. All the patients showed influenza-like illnesses such as flu and fever. We will continue to monitor the situation,” he said.

Liow said although H1N1 pandemic was over last year, the people should continue to stay vigilant and take care of their health.

He said those who suffer from ILI should also limit contact with others and maintain high level of hygiene.