PM NAJIB: CLOSING DOWN SCHOOLS NATIONWIDE WILL BE LAST RESORT

KUALA LUMPUR, June 25 (Bernama) -- Closing down all schools will be the last
resort the government will take if the number of Influenza A (H1N1) cases
escalates, after taking stringent measures, said Najib Razak.

The Malaysian Prime Minister said, however, closing down schools nationwide
would only be carried out after taking other measures.

"If we close down schools, it would create a sense of panic among the
population. On the other hand, we have to ensure that stringent measures are
taken so that we can control the spread of the flu.

"I would say the closing down of schools would be the last measure we would
take. If other measures do not work, the flu continues to spread and the number
of cases go up quite substantially, then the government may have to consider
it," he said.

On June 23, the Sri Cempaka International School, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur was
ordered to be closed for a week after two students tested positive for the H1N1
virus.

Sekolah Rendah Kebangsaan (SRK) Assunta was also closed on June 23. Earlier
this week, Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Cina (SJKC) Jalan Davidson and SRK Assunta 2
were shut down.

On June 22 one class each was closed at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK)
Damansara Utama, SMK Section 9 Shah Alam, and SMK Wangsa Maju Section 2.

Health director-general Dr Mohd Ismail Merican Wednesday said 12 more
cases of the Influenza A(H1N1) had been reported.

He said of the number, 10 were imported cases and two were locally
transmitted, bringing the total number of cases in the country to 80.

He said that 10 more government hospitals were now allowed to take throat
swabs of patients suspected to be infected with the virus.


Meanwhile, southern Johor-state in Peninsular Malaysia has reported its
first confirmed Influenza A (H1N1) case involving a 19-year-old female student
who returned from Melbourne via Changi Airport Singapore on flight SQ0238 on
June 22.

Influenza A (H1N1) has so far affected 99 countries, infecting 53,110 people
and killing 232.

-- BERNAMA