The death toll arising from the Influenza A(H1N1) has shot up to 38 with six new fatalities announced by the Health Ministry.

The total number of cases recorded so far stands at 2,253, with 270 new cases in the last 24 hours, said the ministry's director-general Dr Ismail Merican today.

NONE He said that these six death cases were not new cases but were being announced now as they were only confirmed as H1N1 cases on Aug 10.

Ismail also said that presently 48 patients were admitted at hospitals for treatment while 11 others were under the intensive care unit. Of the 11 in the ICU wards, four were high-risk patients.

At the same time, 11 other people have been discharged after undergoing treatment yesterday.

On the global front, Ismail said a total of 208,990 cases with 1,716 deaths have been reported as of Aug 11, affecting 174 countries.

This was an increase of 835 cases and 28 deaths from the previous day.

Suhakam wants definite steps

In another development, the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) said it was "greatly concerned" by the A(H1N1) situation in the country, especially by the state of preparation of public health defence.

"The right to a safe environment and the right to access of medical help for citizens are now in critical question," said the commission in a statement.

Suhakam added that it recognised the efforts undertaken by the government in dealing with the deadly outbreak.

However it urged the government to take definite steps to increase public awareness.

"And to provide adequate diagnostic, treatment and preventive facilities to all sectors of society," said Suhakam in the statement.

Separately, the Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) has called on employers to provide free masks and washing soap to all their employees in view of the spreading flu.

MTUC vice-president A Balasubramaniam said companies had been supplying free masks to frontline staff but others should also be given the masks if there was a need.

He also said that if necessary, companies should shut down their production line if a majority of their employees were found to be A(H1N1) positive.

In case of a shutdown, the employers should give their employees unrecorded leave with full pay, he said, according to Bernama .

No bar to hajj pilgrims

Meanwhile the government said that it will not stop pilgrims from performing the hajj or umrah despite the worldwide outbreak of the deadly flu.

hajj pilgrimage haji pilgrimage 040107 doa Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Mashitah Ibrahim was quoted in Bernama as saying that there were no restriction order issued by the Saudi Arabian government on that matter.

"If we receive any directive from the Saudi government, then we will decide on the next course of action with regards to pilgrims performing the hajj or umrah," she said.

Mashitah also said that the A(H1N1) situation was under control in Malaysia despite the number of deaths.

Pahang royalty responding well

In Kuantan , Bernama reported that the Tengku Puan of Pahang, Tunku Azizah Aminah Iskandariah, and her five children, who are being treated for Influenza A (H1N1) at the Tengku Ampuan Afzan Hospital (HTAA), are reported to be in good health.

Pahang Health and Environment Committee chairperson Hoh Khai Mun said Tunku Azizah was, however, still under observation.

"The family is resting," he was quoted as telling reporters.

Tunku Azizah's five children, aged between seven and 14, were warded last Friday while she was admitted the following day.

Hoh also said that two of the 13 people who were confirmed H1N1 positive in HTAA were in critical condition.

The two were a 38-year-old male teacher and a seven-month-old baby girl.