Ministry steps up virus watch

NST: KUALA LUMPUR: The Health Ministry has increased its vigilance against influenza A (H1N1), heightening surveillance at all entry points to Malaysia to stop carriers from spreading the disease here.
Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said 31 countries have already been struck by the virus and feared the potential havoc the strain could unleash here if precautions were not taken.
"Even if it is a mild outbreak, we cannot take the situation for granted.
"I have ordered ministry officials to increase their efforts to protect the nation. It is a long-term effort. We have to protect our people," he said after launching International Nurses Day here, yesterday.
Liow stressed that the battle against A (H1N1) must also be fought by the public, who needed to know exactly what to do if it actually spread in Malaysia.
"This is why we also want to educate the people on the virus and how to contain it if they discover any cases.
"We have also mobilised our national pandemic preparedness plan. We have planned earlier for an emergency response to an A (H1N1) outbreak, so we have sufficient medication should the need arise."
Liow noted that with the virus having already infiltrated 31 countries around the world, Malaysia faced increased pressure to ensure it did not spread here.
"We must be on guard and not allow the strain to cross into our borders," he said.
Neighbouring Thailand became the first and only South-East Asian nation struck by the virus, after its government confirmed two cases of the flu in people who had travelled to Mexico recently.
The global death toll has also risen after Mexico confirmed a tally of 56 deaths yesterday, up from 48 reported on Monday.
The Foreign Ministry has advised Malaysians to defer all non-essential travel to the United States, Mexico, Canada, Spain and the United Kingdom, the countries worst hit by the outbreak.
The ministry recommended that travellers get vaccinated first and learn as much as they could on the outbreak situation at their destinations in the event that overseas travel was necessary.
Upon arrival at their destinations, travellers are encouraged to inform the nearest Malaysian mission of their whereabouts.
The ministry also suggested that Malaysians follow local health guidelines, which might also include movement restrictions and preventive recommendations, while at the same time avoiding contact with the sick.
"If you think you are ill with influenza A (H1N1), avoid close contact with others as much as possible. Stay at home or in your hotel room and immediately contact the local health authority," the ministry said in a statement.