PUTRAJAYA, Malaysia: Health authorities have recorded 12 locally-transmitted Influenza A (H1N1) cases among 33 new cases within the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of infected people to 359 to date.

Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Ismail Merican said the number of locally-transmitted cases have so far reached 67 and so far no death was recorded.

He said the number of those still being treated was 102, while the rest have fully recovered. Of the new cases, only 24 were Malaysians, while the rest were foreigners.

"As for the situation in schools, to date, only one class each in Seri Cempaka International School in Cheras and SK Setapak Indah in Kuala Lumpur remain closed until Thursday.

"We would advise those who underwent throat swab at hospitals or at entry points to contact hospitals to know their test results. They should be available within 24 hours after the sample was taken," he said yesterday.

Dr Ismail said the latest cases of Influenza A (H1N1) involved those who had visited Thailand, Australia, Kuwait, Indonesia, Britain and the Philippines.

Health authorities were in the midst of tracing those who were on the same flights as the affected people.

"We would also remind those who are under home quarantine to remain at home throughout the seven days and not to go to public places, tuition or religious classes to prevent the spread of the disease," he said.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), as of 8am yesterday, a total of 91,065 cases with 387 deaths in 126 countries were recorded worldwide, with Malaysia among five countries which recorded the highest number of new cases apart from Australia, China, Singapore, New Zealand and Japan. -The Star/ANN