PUBLIC URGED TO BELIEVE IN MINISTRY`S EFFORTS, SAYS MUHYIDDIN

MELAKA (Malaysia), May 16 (Bernama) -- The public is urged to have faith in
the Health Ministry and enforcement agencies in their efforts to handle the
first Influenza A (HINI) case detected in the country.

Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said, although the case involving a
male student was new, the ministry had experience in tackling such cases.

"They (Health Ministry) know better, and had much experience during the
Avian Flu (H5N1) epidemic that occurred when I was previously Minister of
Agriculture," he told reporters after launching the National Youth Day 2009 at
the Melaka International Trade Centre, in this southern city Friday.

He said he believed that the Health Ministry would follow the same protocol
on the Influenza A epidemic like they did in containing the bird flu.

"I hope the epidemic will be handled well and we must be confident with the
ministry," he said when asked about the public concern on the epidemic.

He was asked to comment on a report that a 21-year-old male student who had
just returned from the United States on Wednesday, had tested positive for
Influenza A.

The student is now undergoing anti-viral treatment and is in stable
condition at the Sungai Buloh Hospital in the state of Selangor.

Muhyiddin said he would leave the matter for good judgment and initiatives
for the Health Ministry to manage the situation.

"We hope they will be able to contain it and do whatever is best so the
disease does not spread beyond the confinement or quarantine," he said.
-- BERNAMA