PETALING JAYA: Travel if you must, but take all
necessary precautions to minimise the risk of
influenza A(H1N1) infection.
While the authorities
have called for calm and stepped up preventive
measures, the people must play their part by seeking
medical help if they develop flu-like symptoms.
Consultant infectious diseases physician and
Global Hygiene Council member Dr Christopher Lee
urged those who have travelled to countries with
documented A(H1N1) infections to be vigilant.
"Seek medical attention immediately if you
develop flu-like symptoms within seven days of
return. These practical measures can make a
significant difference in slowing down the spread of
A(H1N1). The public has a big role to play," he
said.
Since the World Health Organisation declared
A(H1N1) a pandemic last Thursday, Universiti Malaya
senior research fellow and virologist Prof Emeritus
Datuk Dr Lam Sai Kit said the decision to travel
during this period rested with the individual.
"However, travelling should be on a need-to basis,"
he said.
"Going on holidays means moving in crowded places,
making many new friends and many more handshakes. At
Level Six (of the WHO alert), we should really
review our activities."
Malaysian Medical Association president Dr David
Quek said there was no need to be overly anxious,
"but everyone should remain on high alert".
"We
cannot arrest the entry of this disease into our
country, but we can try to ameliorate its
penetration and its more serious consequences."
According to Dr Quek, the fatality rate for
A(H1N1) is 1 in every 200 infected.
Countries identified by WHO to have had A(H1N1)
community transmissions are the United States,
Britain, Spain, Japan and Australia. But more
countries, even those in South-East Asia, are
joining the list.
Malaysia is bracing for the return of students
from Melbourne in Victoria, Australia, for their
mid-term winter break (three to four weeks) at the
end of the month.
Melbourne has been dubbed
"swine flu capital of
the world", with a tally of affected people above
1,000 last week.
According to Wisma Putra, there are more than
5,800 Malaysians studying at nine universities in
Victoria.
Malaysia recorded its 12th confirmed A(H1N1) case
after a student who returned from Melbourne on
Wednesday was found to be infected with the virus.
The 10th case was a 17-year-old girl who returned
from a holiday in Melbourne on June 9.
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