ID :
66303
Thu, 06/18/2009 - 07:53
Auther :

SPORTS ASSOCIATIONS ADVISED AGAINST COMPETING OVERSEAS

KUALA LUMPUR, June 18 (Bernama) -- The National Sports Institute (ISN) Wednesday advised all sports associations to avoid or postpone overseas competitions following the World Health Organisation's (WHO) decision to raise the worldwide pandemic alert level to 6 in view of the Influenza A(H1N1) outbreak.

ISN director general Dr Ramlan Abd Aziz said since WHO had raised the
pandemic alert level from 5 to 6 due to an increase in the number of cases
globally, the risk to athletes who wished to train or compete overseas has also
increased.

"Sports associations must give due consideration and serious attention when
deciding to send their athletes overseas, especially countries known to have
been infected by the disease," said Dr Ramlan in a statement here Wednesday.

The risk of infection through contact in the respective countries was high,
especially countries in the American continent and the pandemic alert normally
would remain in force for six to nine months, he said.

He added that though Malaysia was safe, he advised athletes who suffered
symptoms like fever, cough or flu to seek immediate treatment at the nearest
hospital.
-- BERNAMA

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