According to the Rakhine health department, it was the first H1N1 baby patient who was diagnosed recently and the baby is around one year and one month old.

“One case of H1N1 influenza was identified on Saturday in Sittwe general hospital,” said Dr Kyi Lwin, the chief of Arakan health department.

Speaking to local journalists in a press conference, Dr Kyi also added that 124 patients with various illness arrived at Sittwe hospital between 1 to 11 August.

“Among 124 patients, four patients were found seriously ill. Later we sent their blood and other samples to Yangon for necessary screenings. Finally the baby with H1N1 influenza was identified.

Rakhine chief minister U Nyi Pu and the State social minister Dr Chan Tha went to the hospital on Sunday to see the child.

The State government soon started massive health awareness campaigns by distributing pamphlets soon after the baby was found with H1N1 virus.

Until August 11 across Myanmar, 204 patients were confirmed with the infection of seasonal influenza. The death toll mounted up to 23 as the health and sports department announced.

Currently, 58 patients have been diagnosed with H1N1 virus and they are receiving treatments including five individuals in the Yangon based Waibargi specialist hospital.  Moreover, 73 out of 256 Yangon based hospital patients were found to be infected with H1N1 virus.

- by Narinjara News