Malaysia continues vigilance against H1N1
KUALA LUMPUR – Although the World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared the H1N1 flu pandemic over, Malaysia will not let its guard down, said Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai.
He said he had issued a directive today, to Health Director-General Tan Sri Dr Ismail Merican to continue with the H1N1 surveillance and monitoring efforts, while continuing to adopt preventive measures, such as vacination for the high risk group.
“We will not relax. We will also continue to encourage the high risk group of the population to go for vaccination. We, at the ministry-level, will ensure there is adequate supply.
“While WHO has declared the pandemic over, we will continue to maintain vigil in the matter,” he said.
Although the pandemic situation was over, the minister advised individuals to continue taking prudent steps to reduce their risk of infection, which among others, includes vaccination as WHO had recomended vaccination against the virus as the best protection.
On Tuesday, WHO director-general Margaret Chan said the organisation’ emergency committee comprising top flu experts advised her that the pandemic had “largely run its course” and that the world was no longer in ‘Phase Six’ — the highest influenza alert level.
She said the virus had now entered the “post-pandemic” phase, meaning disease activity worldwide had returned to levels usually seen for seasonal influenza.
The trivalent seasonal influenza vaccine which includes the H1N1 strain will provide the broadest protection. The vaccine, already available in the Malaysian market, can be given to those above six months of age.
“The ministry will ensure adequate supply of this vaccine in the market and check against any excessive profiteering in its provision,” said Liow.
He said the public must continue to practise hand and respiratory hygiene while the authorities continue respiratory disease surveillance and reporting, as well as monitoring and investigating unusual disease patterns.
“Our doctors have also been advised to continue following the WHO’s guidelines for clinical management as early recognition and treatment remain important.
“Patients who have severe deteriorating influenza and those who are at higher risk of severe complicated influenza, should be treated with tamiflu, as soon as possible,” he said.
According to the WHO figures, the A (H1N1) virus killed over 18,449 people and affected over 200 countries.
To date in Malaysia, 92 H1N1-related deaths were reported since the first cases were detected last year.
Source: The Malaysian Insider
