Shiloh
Editor, Senior Moderator
Source: http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/6/13/nation/4113610&sec=nation
Saturday June 13, 2009
Schools may be closed and functions banned if H1N1 spreads
PUTRAJAYA: The Health Ministry will impose stringent measures, including closing schools and banning private functions like weddings and gatherings in public places if the influenza A (H1N1) virus starts to spread locally.
?If a locally transmitted case appears, we have to impose ?social distancing? by closing schools and institutions and banning gatherings like weddings and celebrations in the entire district to avoid its spread,? said Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Ismail Merican.
He said this and a host of other measures would be implemented now that the World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised the flu alert level to phase six or pandemic stage.
Dr Ismail also called on the people to act responsibly if they have flu-like symptoms by staying at home or wearing masks when they visit public places.
?Malaysia has been fortunate so far that all the cases have been not been locally transmitted,? he said at a press conference here yesterday.
Dr Ismail said the ministry had also put into motion its National Influenza Pandemic Preparedness Plan (NIPPP) so that all agencies, embassies, stakeholders, the business community and the public were aware of what to do.
It would, among others, activate its National Inter-ministerial Committee chaired by Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai and enlist the help of the National Security Council to allow better coordination of prevention and control activities, he said.
He said public and private medical care facilities had also been told to find out if patients with flu symptoms had been abroad recently or come into contact with someone who had been infected.
Dr Ismail added that the ministry would also seek the cooperation of local authorities in inspecting and ensuring frequent cleaning of toilets in all public places, community halls, malls, theatres and supermarkets.
There was no need to worry over the WHO decision to raise the alert level because it did not mean that the virus was becoming more dangerous.
Dr Ismail said no new cases were reported in Malaysia within the 24 hours until 9am yesterday, while seven cases had been treated and allowed to return home.
Meanwhile, the Foreign Ministry said although Malaysians were not banned from travelling abroad, those intending to go to countries affected by the virus should take extra precautionary measures.
In a statement, the ministry also advised travellers to practise high personal hygiene standards including avoiding contact with affected persons, using masks and washing their hands regularly.
It added that the Health Ministry would also adopt more stringent measures to contain the outbreak including the screening of passengers at all entry and exit points of the country.
Saturday June 13, 2009
Schools may be closed and functions banned if H1N1 spreads
PUTRAJAYA: The Health Ministry will impose stringent measures, including closing schools and banning private functions like weddings and gatherings in public places if the influenza A (H1N1) virus starts to spread locally.
?If a locally transmitted case appears, we have to impose ?social distancing? by closing schools and institutions and banning gatherings like weddings and celebrations in the entire district to avoid its spread,? said Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Ismail Merican.
He said this and a host of other measures would be implemented now that the World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised the flu alert level to phase six or pandemic stage.
Dr Ismail also called on the people to act responsibly if they have flu-like symptoms by staying at home or wearing masks when they visit public places.
?Malaysia has been fortunate so far that all the cases have been not been locally transmitted,? he said at a press conference here yesterday.
Dr Ismail said the ministry had also put into motion its National Influenza Pandemic Preparedness Plan (NIPPP) so that all agencies, embassies, stakeholders, the business community and the public were aware of what to do.
It would, among others, activate its National Inter-ministerial Committee chaired by Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai and enlist the help of the National Security Council to allow better coordination of prevention and control activities, he said.
He said public and private medical care facilities had also been told to find out if patients with flu symptoms had been abroad recently or come into contact with someone who had been infected.
Dr Ismail added that the ministry would also seek the cooperation of local authorities in inspecting and ensuring frequent cleaning of toilets in all public places, community halls, malls, theatres and supermarkets.
There was no need to worry over the WHO decision to raise the alert level because it did not mean that the virus was becoming more dangerous.
Dr Ismail said no new cases were reported in Malaysia within the 24 hours until 9am yesterday, while seven cases had been treated and allowed to return home.
Meanwhile, the Foreign Ministry said although Malaysians were not banned from travelling abroad, those intending to go to countries affected by the virus should take extra precautionary measures.
In a statement, the ministry also advised travellers to practise high personal hygiene standards including avoiding contact with affected persons, using masks and washing their hands regularly.
It added that the Health Ministry would also adopt more stringent measures to contain the outbreak including the screening of passengers at all entry and exit points of the country.