Materia Medica Malaysiana

Malaysia has network to monitor bird flu

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has a reliable network of clinics and hospitals to monitor cases of influenza and avian flu, said Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek.
He said the network comprised 135 hospitals and almost 4,000 clinics.
“If the increase (in flu cases) is dramatic, they would report to the state-level disease control division, and then to the national level,” he told reporters after presenting Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points and Halal certifications to Sime Oleander Sdn Bhd here yesterday.
Dr Chua said Malaysia was on high alert for avian flu following fears that the country would be exposed to the disease after nine deaths were reported in Vietnam since Dec 30.
“When a place has an increase of influenza-like symptoms, we will send a public health team to investigate,” he said.
Dr Chua added that surveillance, which had two parts, would be carried out.
He said passive surveillance was compulsory reporting of cases while active monitoring would include examining everyone within a 1km radius.
“Each state has the facilities to make visits, and workers who are exposed to the disease are advised to wear gloves and face masks,” Dr Chua said, adding that his ministry was working closely with the Agriculture Ministry on the matter.