Avoid shaking hands and wear a mask, Liow advises people

Star: PETALING JAYA: Don’t shake hands – that’s the advice given by Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai to those having influenza-like symptoms.
This is to minimise the risk of having the Influenza A (H1N1) virus from being transmitted locally.
People are, instead, advised to bow their heads in greeting or place their right hand on the upper left side of their chest to show respect.
Although there has been no recorded cases being transmitted locally, Liow urged those with flu-like symptoms to wear masks and refrain from shaking hands with others.
“It’s best to take all necessary precautions as the viral outbreak has reached pandemic level,” he said in an interview yesterday.
“During such moments of medical crisis, it is okay to not shake hands. People can instead bow their heads or place a right hand on the upper left chest to show respect,” he said.
However, Liow pointed out that the ministry could only advise Malaysians.
“We cannot force people to stop shaking hands with others,” he added.
The minister also called on the people to not alienate those wearing masks, saying:
“Generally, Malaysians are not comfortable wearing masks in public because others tend to avoid them.
“We are trying to drive home the message that it is okay to be near a person wearing a mask as it is a protective gear aimed at reducing the risk of transmission of such diseases.”
Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Mohd Ismail Merican said it was up to individuals to exercise caution to minimise the risk of transmitting communicable diseases.
He said Malaysia had to date recorded 12 confirmed Influenza A (H1N1) cases.
“Of the 12 cases, five are warded at designated hospitals – Hospital Sungai Buloh (one), Hospital Tuanku Jaafar in Seremban (one), Hospital Pulau Pinang (two) and Hospital Kuala Lumpur (one),” he said.
The health authorities had received 42 case notifications involving individuals who had recently returned from the affected countries.
“Of the new suspected cases, 29 have been confirmed negative. We are still waiting for the results of 13 others,” he said, adding that home quarantine was imposed on 123 people.
Dr Ismail also called on those who had come in contact with individuals who had been confirmed suffering from the flu, including cabin crew and flight passengers, to contact the ministry at 03-8881-0200 or 03-8881-0300 for advice on precautionary measures and home quarantine.
As of yesterday, the World Health Organisation (WHO) recorded 29,960 flu cases, including 145 deaths in 74 countries.
Dr Ismail also advised people to wear surgical masks if they come into close contact with those with flu-like symptoms at shopping malls, movie theatres and other enclosed public places.
It was best to avoid congested places and badly ventilated areas, he added.