PENANG READY TO FACE H1N1

PENANG (Malaysia), May 2 (Bernama) -- The northern state of Penang
government assures visitors that it is safe for them to visit the state as
various measures have been taken to prevent the spread of the influenza A (H1N1)
virus into the state.

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the measures included health screening at
the airport and port for visitors arriving in the state.

The Penang Hospital had also taken necessary measures, including getting
ready the isolation ward for possible H1N1 cases, he told reporters after
visiting the hospital here Saturday.

According to the World Health Organisation, the H1N1 virus had spread to two
more countries -- Switzerland and Holland -- on Friday, each with one case
reported.

This brings to 11 the total number of countries affected by the pandemic
with 257 cases, including eight deaths, reported so far.
-- BERNAMA