KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 9 (Bernama) -- The Health Ministry wants parents of children who are sitting for the ongoing Penilaian Menengah Rendah (PMR) examination to monitor the health of their children.

Director-General of Health Tan Sri Dr Mohd Ismail Merican said if students taking the PMR showed symptoms of influenza-like illnesses (ILI), they should seek immediate treatment at the nearest clinic or hospital.

"In addition, the parents or guardians are required to inform the school about the health of their children so that appropriate action can be taken by the school," he said in a statement, here today.

The Health Ministry also sought the cooperation of invigilators on duty at the PMR examination halls to segregate students with ILI symptoms from healthy students.

Dr Mohd Ismail also disclosed that 98 new patients with ILI symptoms had been admitted to hospitals for treatment while 181 patients with such symptoms had been discharged today.

He said the number of ILI cases being treated nationwide up to today was 731 with 40 patients confirmed positive for influenza A (H1N1).

"Out of the 40 influenza A (H1N1) patients receiving treatment at the hospitals, seven cases or 18 per cent are being treated at the Intensive Care Units (ICU)," he said.

Dr Mohd Ismail said the death toll due to the H1N1 in the country remained at 77.

The Health Ministry also reminded the public that the influenza A (H1N1) outbreak was active in the community although the number of cases had declined lately.