Government to continue monitoring avian flu situation

Star: PETALING JAYA: The immediate threat of the avian flu outbreak in Kampung Paya Jaras Hilir may have passed, but the Government is taking no chances and will continue monitoring the area.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek said there have been no reports of residents falling ill or showing any symptoms of coughing or fever for the past two days.
"This is definitely a very good sign but we are not resting on our laurels. We will continue to monitor the area, especially within a 300-metre radius of the point of the virus' origin.
"But in the meantime, all culling and case detection activities (door to door interviewing) has been ceased," he said.
Speaking at a press conference after opening the 64th Malaysian Dental Association Annual General Meeting on Friday, Dr Chua said it was important now to instead focus on the well being of officials who had been based in the village for the past week.
He said there were more than 70 officials from the Health Ministry and Veterinary Services Department who had worked tirelessly and bravely during the outbreak.
"Now that the situation has become better, we must also ensure that the officials themselves are safe and sound.
"Even as we speak, they are undergoing medical checks to ensure they have a clean bill of health," said Chua, adding that the residents themselves should seek immediate medical attention if they begin to feel feverish or have bad coughs.
The Minister said that given in two weeks time there were no other reports of the avian flu, a report would be submitted to the World Health Organisation (WHO) to declare the nation as H5N1 virus-free.
"However, it is still up to WHO to process the report and scrutinize its findings before we can be truly considered H5N1 virus-free," he said.