No cause for panic, minister assures public

NST: PUTRAJAYA: The public has been urged not to panic over the country's first locally transmitted influenza A (H1N1) case.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, however, warned of stern action under the Disease Prevention and Control Act 1988, against anyone who concealed the disease. "This is the last warning we are issuing. We expect those infected with the disease to be more responsible in giving us all the necessary information."
Liow was commenting on the country's first locally transmitted case, the 17-year-old student from Petaling Jaya who did not inform the authorities that she had had contact with an infected patient.
The infected patient, a 24-year-old, had given the authorities a list of people he had made contact with, but had left out the girl's name.
The girl was confirmed as the country's first locally transmitted case when she was referred to the Sungai Buloh Hospital on Monday.
It is learnt that she is a student at a private college in Damansara. Investigations revealed that she had also gone to a cinema recently.
The authorities have so far quarantined 20 of the girl's family members and friends with whom she had come in contact with.
Liow also urged the public against panicking as talk of implementing "social distancing" in Petaling Jaya loomed.
"The ministry is taking steps to ensure the infection does not spread further. We are taking all necessary steps. The situation is under control."
He said the ministry would monitor the girl's 20 contacts closely for now.
Social distancing, he said, would only be considered if the 20 quarantined people had infected others. Even then, he said, it would only affect a locality and not the whole district.
"Say, for instance, the risk is concentrated in Taman Tun Dr Ismail, then the measure would be implemented there, with only a few schools affected," he said after a meeting with the Crisis Relief Squad of MCA and the Malaysian Youth Council.
The two groups have been roped in to increase public awareness on health issues, including the influenza A (H1N1), dengue and cervical cancer.
Health director-general Tan Sri Ismail Merican advised those who were sick with flu and fever to quickly seek treatment.
"Go to the nearest clinic or hospital. The doctors will ask you some questions to determine your travel history and the people you would have come in contact with."
Dr Ismail warned of the possibility of the virus mutating. "We haven't seen the worst yet, so we have to brace ourselves. This (the current situation) is like a test to ascertain the capabilities of the affected countries on how to handle the pandemic."