SWINE FLU: Ban on pig imports from affected nations

NST: KUALA LUMPUR: With immediate effect, pork, pork products and live pigs will not be allowed in from countries where swine flu has been reported.
Veterinary Services Department Director-General Datuk Dr Abd Aziz Jamaluddin said pork and pork products that entered the country before the ban would be checked before they were released into the market.
"All precautionary measures have been put in place to ensure that Malaysians eat only safe food," he said.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States has assured consumers that the swine influenza virus is not spread by eating the meat.
Dr Abd Aziz said checks would also be carried out on the 797 pig farms in the country.
"We will also liaise with the Health Ministry to obtain 'killed vaccine' to inject the pigs to protect against swine flu," he said.
Killed vaccine uses a dead bacteria or virus to cause an immune response in animals to be protected against specific diseases.
The swine flu virus is transmitted the same way other flu viruses are spread, with the most common method being through coughing or sneezing. It is also possible to become infected by touching an infected animal and then touching one's mouth or nose, which is why experts advise people to wash their hands frequently and to avoid touching their face.
The symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some patients have reported diarrhoea and vomiting.
Like seasonal flu, swine flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions.
Dr Abd Aziz said swine flu was classified as a notifiable disease in Malaysia and thus, those showing symptoms of the disease must seek immediate medical help and doctors must notify the ministries.
More information on the swine flu can be obtained by calling 03-88810200 or 03-88810300, or by visiting website www.moh.gov.my