Mock exercise at KLIA to screen for avian flu

Star: PUTRAJAYA: Passengers on a Jakarta flight to KL International Airport were “screened” for avian flu upon arrival yesterday.
There was, however, nothing to worry about as the mock exercise was done to better protect air passengers should an avian influenza pandemic occur.
Health Ministry director of disease control Datuk Dr Ramlee Rahmat said the simulation exercise, involving 300 volunteers, was an attempt to “plug loopholes” in the country’s national influenza pandemic preparedness plan.
“There are still lots of things to be done, especially the finer details. For instance, we observed that our staff are not very sure of handling foreign passengers who might be trying to evade health inspection,” he told reporters as a group of forlorn-looking passengers queued up to have their temperatures checked.
“We will continually improve the plan and plug the loopholes.”
The exercise, which was implemented with the cooperation of Malaysia Airlines, Malaysia Airports Bhd and the Health and Transport ministries, attracted curious onlookers at the busy airport.
This was the third such exercise carried out in the country, and the first at KLIA.
To inject some realism and action into the whole scenario, MAS even consented to loan its 737 aircraft for the 90-minute exercise.
Civil defence and ministry staff decked out in full protective garb patrolled the aisle to prevent any “sick passenger” from trying to flee quarantine.
On the supply of anti-viral drug Tamiflu, Dr Ramlee said the ministry had managed to procure sufficient stock for use in the the event of an influenza pandemic.
“We have enough supply for our frontline workers,” he added.
Malaysia Airports (Sepang) Sdn Bhd senior manager (operations) Daud Hosnan said it was important to test the national preparedness plan as KLIA was an international airport with hundreds of overseas flights.
On another matter, Dr Ramlee said there was no surge in the number of reported cases of dengue.
“However, this does not mean that we can let down our guard,” he said.
“I want the public to continue wiping out breeding sites, particularly with the rainy season starting.”