No Outbreak Of Influenza A (H5N1) In Malaysia

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No outbreak of influenza A (H5N1) in Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 7 (Bernama) -- There has been no outbreak of Influenza A(H5N1), a zoonotic disease transmitted from birds to humans, detected in the country so far, said Director-General of Health Datuk Dr Hassan Abdul Rahman.

He said the Veterinary Services Department, which monitored the situation nationwide since 2007, had found no positive samples on birds to date.

However, he urged the public to take preventive measures, especially personal hygiene and seek immediate medical attention at clinics if they develop influenza-like illness symptoms.

Until Aug 26, the World Health Organization confirmed 74 cases of H5N1 among humans which had claimed 25 lives in four countries, Hassan said in a statement Tuesday.

Egypt had 32 cases with 12 deaths, Cambodia, eight cases (eight deaths), Indonesia, seven cases (five deaths), and Bangladesh, two cases (no deaths).

Meanwhile, in a separate statement, Dr Hassan said the Health Ministry had issued summonses amounting to RM76,900 to 326 smokers under the Control of Tobacco Product Regulations 2004 in "Ops Raya" at 390 shopping malls nationwide from Aug 18 to 21.

Of the offenders, he said 303 were adult smokers and 23 non-adult smokers.

"Offenders, who fail to settle their compounds within the stipulated period, will be prosecuted.

"They face a RM10,000 fine or two years' jail or both, if convicted," he said, adding that smokers should observe no-smoking regulations at public places. (BERNAMA)

-- TNA 2011-09-07