HEALTH MINISTRY CAUTION OVER SECOND WAVE OF H1N1

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 31 (Bernama) -- The Health Ministry Thursday advised
parents of school-going children and teachers to be wary of the anticipated
second wave of Influenza A(H1N1), especially in view of the 2010 school session
opening next week.

Deputy Director-General of Health Dr Hasan Abdul Rahman said parents should
monitor the health of their children and send them to hospital immediately
should they develop Influenza-like illness (ILI).

"If the children fall ill at school, teachers should isolate them
immediately and send them to hospital," he told reporters after launching a
personal hygiene programme for schools held in collaboration with Antabax
anti-bacterial soap producer Lam Soon Edible Oils Sdn Bhd, here.

Dr Hasan also said that precautionary measures, such as avoiding congested
areas, covering the mouth when sneezing and not sharing handkerchiefs, should be
adopted at all times.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) had stated that the H1N1 pandemic was
expected to subside only in 2012, he said, adding that the disease was still
active in temperate countries in the Northern Hemisphere.

Meanwhile, Lam Soon Edible Oils marketing manager Carmen Foo said the
programme was targeted at school children because they were among the groups
most susceptible to the disease.

Under the programme, 15 schools in the Kuala Lumpur and its surrounding
areas are supplied with the Antabax handwash and the Antabax instant
anti-bacterial solution is provided for a month at frequented places in the
schools, such as the canteen, hall and library.
-- BERNAMA