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KUALA LUMPUR: No one in the country has been infected with the deadly H5N1 avian influenza virus. Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek, in announcing the good news yesterday, said 15 people who have so far been warded at Kuala Lumpur Hospital for showing symptoms of bird flu have tested negative for the virus. "Of the latest five who were admitted on Saturday, four are still warded but will be discharged later if they have no more fever and other problems," he said. Chua urged the public, especially those residing in the Klang Valley, not to listen to rumours that the bird flu virus had infected people in the area. |
"I would like to stress that the bird flu virus has not infected anyone, and I would like to assure you that based on the Cabinet directive, we will give information on a transparent manner, and will not hide any cases related to bird flu," he said. He said those reported so far were suspected cases based on information that they were residents of the area where 40 chickens had been infected with bird flu, and steps to ward them at HKL were only precautionary measures. "We isolated suspected cases just to be on the safe side ... the way the avian influenza spreads is not similar to the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome. |
"There is no concrete evidence that the (bird flu) virus passes from humans to humans, but it is clear that it is spread from birds to humans," he added. Speaking to newsmen at the 57th MCA anniversary celebrations, Chua said cumulatively, the authorities have screened 854 houses and 3,120 people. He said the ministry's taskforce has reverted to passive screenings in which investigations will be done based on reports. On Feb 20, Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said 40 free-range chickens had died of H5N1 avian influenza at Km7 of Jalan Genting Kelang. |
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