A(H1N1): Malaysia prepped for second wave
Thursday, November 5, 2009 at 10:14PM
PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia is all set to face a possible second wave of Influenza A(H1N1) infections following reports that the flu has re-surfaced in countries in the northern hemisphere and after the United States issued an alert.
Health Minister Liow Tiong Liow said the surveillance teams set up throughout the country when cases of the flu first appeared in Malaysia were still in place and would continue to closely monitor and detect all cases.
He said thermal scanners at all entry points into the country were still operating as well and he was confident that the second wave of the flu would be quickly detected and control measures put in place if it does happen.
Its difficult to say when we might be hit with the second wave that has already emerged in the northern hemisphere because travelling across borders is so easy.
But the surveillance teams are on alert and we are taking it very seriously, he told a press conference after launching his ministrys Innovation Day celebrations here on Thursday.
However, he said, the spread of A(H1N1) had reduced tremendously over the last few months from 400 to 500 cases a day to just between 20 and 30 cases a day now.
On the 1Malaysia Community Clinics announced by Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak during his Budget 2010 speech, Liow said his ministry had already identified several locations for the 50 clinics that would be opened nationwide, adding that all was ready for the Prime Minister to launch them in January next year.
He said they would be run by medical assistants and offer outpatient services such as dressings for wounds as well treatment for simple colds, coughs and headaches for people living within a walking distance of the clinics.
There will be visiting doctors making rounds at these clinics and if there are patients who need more serious attention when the doctors are not around, they will be referred to the nearest private clinic by the medical assistants. he said.
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