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MALAYSIA VIGILANT AGAINST AVIAN FLU
August 2nd, 2006 (New Straits Times)
Kuala Lumpur -- Malaysia is on alert for avian flu following outbreaks in Indonesia and Thailand.
Veterinary Services acting director-general Datuk Dr Mustapa Abdul Jalil said the nation had not let its guard down after the last round of cases in both countries.
"The nation is still on high alert. Our concentration is on the Malaysia-Thailand border," he told the New Straits Times.
The department is concerned with developments in Thailand, where 80 patients from 19 provinces are being monitored for bird flu infection.
With 42 deaths since July 2005, Indonesia is tied with Vietnam as the world?s hardest-hit country in human avian flu deaths.
However, Vietnam has had no bird flu deaths since last year.
Experts fear the virus will mutate into a form that spreads easily among people, potentially sparking a global pandemic.
Dr Mustapa said Malaysians should co-operate with the authorities to ensure that chickens, dead or alive, and their products were not smuggled in.
"We also need the support of all government departments and agencies to nab smugglers," he added.
Meanwhile, Health Ministry Disease Control Department director Datuk Dr Ramlee Rahmat said all state health departments were on alert for people with bird flu symptoms, especially foreigners flying in from bird flu-infected countries.
"All state health departments are also conducting avian flu simulation exercises," he added.
Sarawak, Penang and Johor have conducted the exercise at all health clinics and hospitals while Perak started its two-day exercise yesterday.
"The other states will be conducting theirs soon," he said.
Dr Ramlee said a nationwide avian flu exercise involving all ministries, departments, agencies, non-governmental organisations, police and army was being planned.
Source
August 2nd, 2006 (New Straits Times)
Kuala Lumpur -- Malaysia is on alert for avian flu following outbreaks in Indonesia and Thailand.
Veterinary Services acting director-general Datuk Dr Mustapa Abdul Jalil said the nation had not let its guard down after the last round of cases in both countries.
"The nation is still on high alert. Our concentration is on the Malaysia-Thailand border," he told the New Straits Times.
The department is concerned with developments in Thailand, where 80 patients from 19 provinces are being monitored for bird flu infection.
With 42 deaths since July 2005, Indonesia is tied with Vietnam as the world?s hardest-hit country in human avian flu deaths.
However, Vietnam has had no bird flu deaths since last year.
Experts fear the virus will mutate into a form that spreads easily among people, potentially sparking a global pandemic.
Dr Mustapa said Malaysians should co-operate with the authorities to ensure that chickens, dead or alive, and their products were not smuggled in.
"We also need the support of all government departments and agencies to nab smugglers," he added.
Meanwhile, Health Ministry Disease Control Department director Datuk Dr Ramlee Rahmat said all state health departments were on alert for people with bird flu symptoms, especially foreigners flying in from bird flu-infected countries.
"All state health departments are also conducting avian flu simulation exercises," he added.
Sarawak, Penang and Johor have conducted the exercise at all health clinics and hospitals while Perak started its two-day exercise yesterday.
"The other states will be conducting theirs soon," he said.
Dr Ramlee said a nationwide avian flu exercise involving all ministries, departments, agencies, non-governmental organisations, police and army was being planned.
Source