NO NEED PANIC, MALAYSIA TOLD.

GEORGE TOWN: Malaysians need not panic and stock up on masks and flu medication as things are not that bad here despite the global influenza A(H1N1) outbreak.

Universiti Sains Malaysia’s Dr Habsah Hassan said local health authorities, who had been carrying out surveillance for influenza-like illness symptoms, had yet to raise the alert level in the country although the World Health Organisation (WHO) increased theirs to Phase Five.“However, those who travel a lot should use masks, observe good personal hygiene, especially cleaning their hands, and take along anti-viral drugs such as Tamiflu,” she said.

Dr Habsah, who is the head of medical microbiology and parasitology at the university’s school of medical sciences in Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, said face masks are also not 100% preventative........Source extracted from http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/5/2/nation/3819939&sec=nation

Hint of the day: Face masks are out of stock in Klang Valley, therefore, please go and pile it up.