SWINE FLU: MONITORING STEPPED UP AT ENTRY POINTS

JOHOR BAHARU (Malaysia), April 27 (Bernama) -- The government has stepped up monitoring at all entry points of the country in view the swine flu outbreak in Mexico, Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said Monday.

"The Health Ministry will work closely with other government agencies,
including the Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ministry, at all these entry
points," he told reporters after closing the Malaysia Unit Trust Week 2009 at
Plaza Angsana in this southern city.

Muhyiddin was asked what steps the government had taken following the swine
flu outbreak in Mexico which has so far claimed 81 lives.

The disease is reported to have spread to the United States and the World
Health Organisation (WHO) has expressed fear of it spreading around the world.

Advising the people not to panic, Muhyiddin said the protocol used by
government agencies during the bird flu outbreak would be applied and tightened
to prevent any outbreak of swine flu in the country.

Muhyiddin said the people would be educated, through the dissemination of
leaflets by the Health Ministry, on what precautions to take so as not to
contract swine flu.

He said Malaysia would also cooperate with international agencies, including
WHO and centres for vector-borne disease control, to learn more about the latest
strain of swine flu.

"We will cooperate and obtain more information (on swine flu) to enable us
to take the appropriate measures in the country," he said.
-- BERNAMA