ID :
68673
Thu, 07/02/2009 - 13:57
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/68673
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SALIVA TEST TO BE CARRIED OUT ON THOSE WITH FLU SYMPTOMS:MINISTER
KUALA LUMPUR, July 2 (Bernama) -- Foreign tourists and locals arriving from
abroad will have to undergo saliva test if the screening test carried out at the
airport and customs checkpoints showed they had symptoms of Influenza A (H1N1),
Health Minister Liow Tiong Lai said.
If the test result is positive, the Health Department would contact that
person and those in contact with him or her to undergo quarantine and treatment,
he said at a joint press conference with Tourism Minister Dr Ng Yen
Yen here Wednesday.
Earlier, Liow had a meeting with tourism agencies, hoteliers and airline
representatives on Influenza A (H1N1), also known as swine flu.
He also said tourists who showed symptoms of H1N1 during the screening at
airports or customs checkpoints needed to be detained at the locations for six
hours until the screening report was ready before they could be released.
As for locals with the same symptoms, they will be allowed to return to
their homes, and the Health Department will send the screening reports to them
when ready.
On the meeting with the tourism players, Liow said he had briefed them on
the Influenza A (H1N1) situation in the country, which is currently under
control.
Liow also said that the Health Ministry was the only authority to order
those tested positive to be quarantined and that "no other units could take such
action".
Meanwhile, Dr Ng said the Tourism Ministry would report the situation of
H1N1 in the country to the foreign embassies and high commissions in the
Malaysia, besides explaining to the Ambassadors and High Commissioners that
Malaysia was still a safe country to visit.
"Many tourists are becoming apprehensive about coming to Malaysia because of
the spread of the disease in the country, which is being hotly debated in the
media when in fact the situation is not as serious as made out to be," she said.
Dr Ng said foreign tourists should also not easily believe the reports and
feel free to visit the country without having to fear for their safety.
Earlier, Dr Ng had received a courtesy call from a 100-strong delegation
from Guangzhou, China on a visit to Malaysia to promote the 16th Asian Games
which will be held in the city from Nov 11 to 27, 2010.
-- BERNAMA
abroad will have to undergo saliva test if the screening test carried out at the
airport and customs checkpoints showed they had symptoms of Influenza A (H1N1),
Health Minister Liow Tiong Lai said.
If the test result is positive, the Health Department would contact that
person and those in contact with him or her to undergo quarantine and treatment,
he said at a joint press conference with Tourism Minister Dr Ng Yen
Yen here Wednesday.
Earlier, Liow had a meeting with tourism agencies, hoteliers and airline
representatives on Influenza A (H1N1), also known as swine flu.
He also said tourists who showed symptoms of H1N1 during the screening at
airports or customs checkpoints needed to be detained at the locations for six
hours until the screening report was ready before they could be released.
As for locals with the same symptoms, they will be allowed to return to
their homes, and the Health Department will send the screening reports to them
when ready.
On the meeting with the tourism players, Liow said he had briefed them on
the Influenza A (H1N1) situation in the country, which is currently under
control.
Liow also said that the Health Ministry was the only authority to order
those tested positive to be quarantined and that "no other units could take such
action".
Meanwhile, Dr Ng said the Tourism Ministry would report the situation of
H1N1 in the country to the foreign embassies and high commissions in the
Malaysia, besides explaining to the Ambassadors and High Commissioners that
Malaysia was still a safe country to visit.
"Many tourists are becoming apprehensive about coming to Malaysia because of
the spread of the disease in the country, which is being hotly debated in the
media when in fact the situation is not as serious as made out to be," she said.
Dr Ng said foreign tourists should also not easily believe the reports and
feel free to visit the country without having to fear for their safety.
Earlier, Dr Ng had received a courtesy call from a 100-strong delegation
from Guangzhou, China on a visit to Malaysia to promote the 16th Asian Games
which will be held in the city from Nov 11 to 27, 2010.
-- BERNAMA
