Tuesday 25 August 2009

H1N1 - Sooner or later



Citizen journalist Jimmy Leow is curious about the low H1N1 death rate in Hong Kong compared to Malaysia. Hong Kong recorded 9,350 H1N1 cases with 4 deaths to date, whereas Malaysia has recorded 4,200 cases with 69 deaths as at Aug 24, 2009. The authorities has indicated that the current H1N1 cases in Malaysia are under-reported.

Based on the population of 7 million with a 422 square mile area, Hong Kong is definitely one of the most congested area in the world. It has been recorded that the population density is approximately 6,700 per square mile. Public transport such as buses and MTR are frequently used and most of the time, they are crowded, therefore, the spread of H1N1 should be more serious than of Malaysia. But why is the death rate so low in comparison with Malaysia.

As I searched for clues, I noticed that the public toilets in Hong Kong are extremely clean and they are equipped with hand soap too. Additional to this, there are a lot of anti-bacteria dispenser installed in most of the office buildings, at every lifts, airport, train stations, public places which made it so easy to disinfect your hands. I also believe that the H1N1 early detection method done in Hong Kong has been effective and that is why the death rate is still 4 until today.

9 comments:

  1. Aiya….Jimo, no need to compare with HK or countries of this ilk, we are still better than Zimbabwe, North Korea or Burma…..LOL

    cat

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  2. Jimmy,

    I commented "we are still better than"..... umm....or where do you think we should be?....LOL

    cat

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  3. Hi Jimmy and Cat.
    Just sharing my own shallow thoughts with you about this issue.

    First of all, the figure of cases and death issues. Does this figure is trustable in any country declared to public? thats is questionable..

    Besides this, I think it is not so appropriate to compare our local cases with HK cases. ALthough HK is asia country, however, they can be considered as 4 season country, which may not be having same condition as korea or japan or china... anyway, what i wanna say here is the citizen respiratory system who live in 4 season country is slightly different compared to citizen who is living in tropical country.
    Their stronger.

    Look at our neighbour Singapore and Thai... S has 13 cases so far and T, no need to say, really worrying.. and if compare to M, i think the figure is acceptable.

    Actually, when we read more article in website, everyday has people pass away becoz of flu due to respiratory system failure too.

    No need to worry about the figure, no need to worry about the issues.. the most important is personal health and safety awareness & discipline, as well as personal hygiene.

    Figure may increase significantly after this raining season... so, god bless us.

    Take care,
    J.

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  4. Hi J,

    Many thanks for the input. I heard from ppl that the weather in Malaysia which is extremely hostile to this flu should suppress the increase. In Hong Kong, they are more afraid of the winter. The SARS was quite similar too...I think the increase of cases in Hong Kong will move up from Oct onwards.

    100% agree with the personal hygiene practise..

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  5. Hi J,

    Thanks for the information. Yes, better be safe then sorry.
    Just wondering what the results will be if a faster response to the initial management on the infection control and a more effective precaution and monitoring system is implemented at the time when it was called “swine influenza” instead of A (H1N1).

    cat

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  6. Hi everyone,
    Recently saw some of the ppl is wearing face mask in shopping mall, driving or hang out with friends. However, do you all really know the right way of wearing face mask, especially those has 2 layer with different size of porousity?

    Take care,
    J.

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  7. Hi J,

    Go to this URL and see if you can comment on the procedure,

    http://h1n1.moh.gov.my/video-detail5.php

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