M'SIAN MISSIONS OVERSEAS TO MONITOR SWINE FLU OUTBREAK

KUALA LUMPUR, April 29 (Bernama) -- The Foreign Ministry has asked
all Malaysian missions abroad to monitor continuously and update the ministry
on the swine flu outbreak in relation to Malaysians residing or travelling
overseas.

A statement issued by the ministry here Tuesday said they (Malaysian
missions) were also asked to advise Malaysians residing or travelling overseas
to take precautionary measures and to heed the advisories as and when issued by
the local authorities at their respective locations.

"The 60 registered Malaysians residing in Mexico where the swine flu
outbreak was first detected and another five in the accredited Central American
countries are reported to be safe and free from the virus," said the statement.

It stated that the World Health Organisation (WHO) had verified
human-to-human transmission of swine flu and raised the pandemic level to 4.

In this regard, the statement said, the ministry would like to advise all
Malaysians planning to travel abroad or returning to Malaysia, or currently are
on a journey overseas, to take a few precautionary measures.

They were, among others, to avoid contact with known or suspected swine flu
virus carriers or affected countries or areas when travelling overseas, and to
report cases or suspected cases in the effort to monitor the situation and in
extending assistance to affected Malaysians.

The statement also said they were to take the initiative in creating self
awareness on the swine flu outbreak and to be up to date on the latest
situation.

They are also advised to contact the nearest Malaysian Mission for
registration and further travel advice, if necessary.

According to the statement, the Foreign Ministry was working closely with
the Ministry of Health and the Swine Flu Alert Centre at the Kuala Lumpur
International Airport in monitoring and taking preventive measures to contain
the outbreak from reaching Malaysia.

The public is advised to report to the Consular Divison of the Foreign
Ministry at 03-88874000 should they be aware or are informed of any cases by
their friends, relatives or colleagues currently overseas.

-- BERNAMA