NOT PRACTICAL TO DISCLOSE H1N1 HOTSPOTS - DPM

KUANTAN (Malaysia), Aug 15 (Bernama) -- The government has decided against
releasing information on Influenza A(H1N1) hot spots in the country, with Deputy
Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin saying it was not a practical idea.

He said that disclosing locations with rampant A(H1N1) cases would bring
about numerous implications.

For instance, if an area was declared to be free of A(H1N1), the people
there might take the pandemic for granted.

On the other hand, he said, if a locality was declare to be a H1N1 hot spot,
this would negatively impact the area.

"For instance if there are A(H1N1) cases detected in Kuantan, we cannot say
don't go to Kuantan. On the other hand, those living outside the hot spots may
take the matter lightly. This is also dangerous," he told reporters here, an
east coast city which is the capital of east coast state pf Pahang.

Muhyiddin said Friday that he would discuss with Health Ministry officials
the possibility of releasing information on locations with rampant A(H1N1)
cases.

He said he had discussed the matter with Health Minister Liow Tiong Lai and
came to the conclusion that there was no necessity to do so.

Several consumer associations had urged the Health Ministry to disclose the
Influenza A(H1N1) hot spots, especially areas which involved deaths.

Muhyiddin said it was difficult to classify A(H1N1) hot spots due to the
existence of cross-border transmissions.

"It's not like disclosing haze hot spots where we are able to pinpoint their
exact locations on the map. This is about viral transmission which also occurred
in other countries and not confine to certain localities," he said.

What was important, said Muhyiddin, was for all to take precautionary
measures and heed the advice of health authorities.

In a related development, Muhyiddin said, the government had spent RM40
million to acquire additional supply of the antiviral drug, Tamiflu.

"We want the supply to be increased from 10 per cent to 20 per cent in all
hospitals and clinics. We have also spent RM3 million to distribute face masks
to students nationwide," he said.

He also instructed the Health Ministry to shorten the waiting time for
treatment in view of overcrowding in hospitals of late.

"Hospitals should give priority to treating those displaying severe symptoms
of the illness," he said.
-- BERNAMA