ID :
66482
Thu, 06/18/2009 - 20:32
Auther :

FACE THE MUSIC IF YOU WITHOLD HEALTH INFORMATION, WARNS LIOW

PUTRAJAYA, June 18 (Bernama) -- Warning Malaysians not to withhold health
information to the authorities, Health Minister Liow Tiong Lai Thursday said
those doing so could be fined or jailed if they are found guilty.

He said those who had been overseas or those who had contracted the deadly
Influenza A (H1N1) virus and withhold information can be charged under the
Disease Prevention Act 1988 and are liable to a RM10,000 fine or two years' jail
or both.

"I am issuing this warning to all those affected by this disease to be
truthful and provide us with the correct information. Tell us what happened,
whom they contracted the disease from.

"Although the Ministry is empowered to charge those withholding information,
we are issuing a warning now," he told reporters after meeting the MCA Crisis
Relief Squad and several youth organisations at the Health Ministry here.

Malaysia recorded its first local transmission of Influenza A (H1N1)
Thursday, involving a 17-year-old Malaysian female student in Petaling Jaya.

So far, 22 "imported" cases had been reported nationwide, involving 13
Malaysians, seven foreigners, one permanent resident and one resident American,
while 904 people were being monitored.

Asked if the authorities propose to impose the social distancing programme
in the wake of the first locally transmitted case, he said this would only be
initiated if a whole area is affected by the disease.

"We have to see first. Now we have 20 people in isolation arising from the
first case. If we find that there are more cases in the same area, then it is
possible. We do not want to cause panic or disrupt daily lives of the people,"
he added.

He said the programme would only be initiated after the endorsement of the
National Inter-ministerial Committee on the Influenza A (H1N1) Pandemic and it
can only be declared by the National Security Council.

He also urged Malaysians to follow daily updates on the deadly virus, which
has spread to 30 countries, and maintain good personal hygiene to reduce the
risk of contracting the disease.

"Those who are sick with fever and flu should wear face masks all the time.
They should also go to the hospitals ensure that it is not H1N1. Do not expose
yourself...self-isolation is the best," said Liow.
-- BERNAMA

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