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Malaysian Health Ministry Outlines Preparation Against Bird Flu

Posted on: Friday, 11 November 2005, 06:00 CST

Text of report in English by Malaysian news agency Bernama website

Putrajaya, 10 November: The Health Ministry has outlined several stages as preparation in the fight against the bird flu (Avian Influenza).

Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said the third stage was the most dangerous and warranted the government to declare a state of emergency.

However, he said Malaysia was currently at stage 0, where there was no case of the disease.

"Phase 3-which hopefully will not happen, is when there is an infection, whether imported or from within the country. This is regarded as the most dangerous stage and a state of emergency could be declared," he told reporters here Thursday after attending the second meeting of the Preparatory Committee for Facing the Threat from Avian Influenza (AI).

Also present was Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Minister, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

Chua outlined the stages as:

Phase 0-inter epidemic period like the current situation;

Phase 1-Confirmation that there is a new virus that could spread;

Phase 2-Confirmation that an epidemic occurred outside Malaysia;

Phase 3-Infection occurs whether imported or from within Malaysia;

Phase 4-Second round of infection;

Phase 5-When the epidemic ends.

He said stage three would mean that the infected area within a radius of three kilometres would be quarantined and ministry staff would be sent from house to house to determine the symptoms.

"Those infected would be sent to hospitals and samples would be sent to the Institute of Medical Research (IMR)," he said.

Chua said those most exposed to the virus such as the police, Veterinary Department staff and Health Ministry staff would be given priority during vaccination.

Meanwhile, Muhyiddin said he considered the worst level would be when 20 per cent of fowls, ducks and birds were affected.

Currently, there are 160 million fowls, ducks and birds in the country.

Source: BBC Monitoring Asia Pacific

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