PUTRAJAYA: One local transmission of the H1N1 virus will be reason enough for schools and other institutions of learning to be closed in the affected area.
Public events such as weddings will also be cancelled.
These are among the 'social distancing' measures the government will take under the National Influenza Pandemic Preparedness Plan (NIPPP) if Malaysia fails to prevent local spread of the deadly virus.
"The spread of the virus locally can be prevented if we all play our roles responsibly... otherwise it is only a matter of time before it hits us," Director-General of Health Tan Sri Dr Mohd Ismail Merican said yesterday.
"When that happens, all Malaysians must be prepared to face a lot of problems," he said.
He advised the people to stay vigilant for signs of influenza A (H1N1) and develop an obsession for cleanliness.
He also called on people who had contact with suspected cases to report to the ministry immediately.
He advised those who had just returned to the country and showed signs of the flu within seven days upon their arrival to seek immediate medical attention.
Asked about the chances of Malaysia joining the list of 22 countries, which had recorded local transmission of the virus, Dr Ismail said the risk grew as the country got more confirmed cases.
The risk would be compounded when thermal scanners located at the country's entry points fail to detect people already infected with the virus but had not developed a temperature.
"When this happens, like in the case of the tourists who were confirmed cases, they would have had a lot of contact with the public during their tour of the country.
"Imagine how widespread the risk can be," he said.
As of yesterday, the number of confirmed cases in Malaysia remained at 11.
Dr Ismail said all private and government clinics had been alerted to look out for patients with signs of the flu.
"They have to ask the tough questions to determine if their patients are in the risk group."
In the wake of the World Health Organisation's declaration of a level six Influenza A pandemic alert, he said the inter-ministerial national committee for managing a pandemic had been activated.
The committee is chaired by the health minister. The National Security Council has also been roped in.
To date, WHO has not imposed any travel, economic or border movement restrictions and has classified the phase six announcement, as 'moderate in severity, although an increase in mortality in the days to come is expected'.
The disease has spread to 74 countries with over 28,820 infections.
In Alor Star, Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said the inter-ministerial committee would hold discussions with the Health Ministry and other relevant ministries such as the Information, Communications and Culture and the Housing and Local Government.
"The committee, which will meet next week, will ensure that drastic actions and measures discussed at the Federal level would reach the grassroots more effectively," he said after attending the Kedah MCA meeting with 43 Chinese associations in the state.
Liow said the Health Ministry would streamline all measures with the National Security Council.
"We need to work hand-in-hand with the council and be prepared as we are also bracing for local transmission of the influenza.
"Besides increasing health screenings at border checkpoints for people entering the country, the feasibility of conducing exit screenings will also be discussed," he said.
