M'SIA: VETERINARY DEPARTMENT IDENTIFYING OTHER FLU VIRUSES

KUALA LUMPUR, May 6 (Bernama) -- The Veterinary Services Department is
identifying viruses other than the H1N1 strain of influenza type A as a
preventive measure, said director-general Dr Abd Aziz Jamaluddin.

"Malaysia only has the harmless 'classical H1N1' and not the 'novel H1N1'
strain which has caused a pandemic in Mexico, the United States and 19 other
countries.

"We have to ascertain whether the victims have 'classical', 'novel' or other
virus strains. 'Classical H1N1' and 'novel H1N1' have similar symptoms but the
latter can spread and cause death.

"Its like Proton Wiras with 1.5 and 1.6 cc engines or fitted with extra
accessories. Although they are about the same, the H1N1 strains differ in terms
of the danger posed," he told Bernama Tuesday.


Dr Abd Aziz said the department was studying the suitable vaccines from
overseas to be used to prevent the spread of H1N1 in the country.

He urged farm owners to ensure that the animals were free from the H1N1
virus and that they should use masks and cover the mouth.

On the sample taken from the Sarawakian who returned from the United States
with symptoms of the virus, he said it would be known by tonight.

The Medical Research Institute (IMR) had confirmed that the two suspected
H1N1 cases in northern state of Penang and southern state of Selangor, both in
Peninsular Malaysia, were negative.


--BERNAMA