Staying calm and vigilant in the face of flu outbreak 
The Sun, 23 Feb 2006

THE DEADLY bird flu or avian influenza H5N1 virus is back again. It was only in January last year that Malaysia declared itself free of the deadly virus.

The last reported incident of the virus in an animal was in Kelantan in November 2004. Ever since then we had been reading and hearing reports of its relentless march across the globe with bated breath, and were concerned when our neighbors were affected.

While no human cases have been reported in Malaysia, elsewhere the World Health Organization reported that the virus has affected 170 people and killed 92 since it all began in Hong Kong in 2003. While we are being assured by the authorities that the situation is "under control" and the WHO has advised us not to panic, we cannot be lulled into complacency and assume that everything is normal. While the virus has been discovered to have affected poultry only in a small locality near Kuala Lumpur, it is best for everyone to stay on the side of caution.

"Chicken is safe to eat as long as it is cooked properly," said Health Ministry disease control director Datuk Dr Ramlee Rahmat. We are told that the H5N1 virus is sensitive to heat and normal cooking temperature of 70ºC

will kill it. Make sure all parts are fully cooked, with no "pink" areas. Make sure that eggs, too, are properly cooked with no "runny" yolks.

Other than that, normal health rules like washing hands with soap and water before handling food apply. It is most reassuring to note that the authorities have swung into action to contain the threat. It is also reassuring that they have promised to be open and transparent with developments on avian influenza. But a nagging concern remains.

Why had the ministry responded to the public only after Singapore's Straits Times reported that the city state had suspended poultry and egg imports from Selangor. Another cause for concern is the ease with which fighting cocks from neighboring countries are smuggled into the country by our guest workers for the entertainment of people who share a passion for watching the bloody spectacle of birds knifing each other to death.

It is no longer a secret that cockfighting pits, long outlawed in this country, exist in certain localities where foreign workers live. Fresh supply of cockerels is constantly required to replace those killed. And it is to them that fingers are being pointed as the carrier of the H5N1 virus.

Whether it is confirmed or not that foreign fighting cockerels are the carriers of the deadly bird flu virus, the authorities must ensure that stringent checks are made at all entry points to ensure that they do not enter the country.

Now that the H5N1 virus has visited the country again, it must be given priority by all authorities, especially the agencies under the Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ministry and the Health Ministry, to contain its spread and to be prepared for any further developments.

While human lives may be threatened, the health of our livestock industry should also be of concern.