MALAYSIA: MORE ANTI-VIRAL DRUGS ORDERED, SAYS HEALTH MINISTER

GENTING HIGHLANDS (Malaysia), Aug 3 (Bernama) -- More anti-viral drugs have
been ordered as a contingency measure until an anti-influenza A (H1N1) vaccine
becomes available at the end of the eyar, said Malaysian Health Minister Liow
Tiong Lai.

"I have instructed there be a sufficient stockpile of anti-viral drugs to
treat Influenza A(H1N1) patients in combating the outbreak of the disease in the
country," he said here on Sunday.

He said the special inter-ministerial committee on the outbreak, chaired by
Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin, would be meeting on Tuesday to
formulate further plans, including involving state governments and local
authorities, to join the effort to stem the spread of Influenza A (H1N1) in the
country.

On another note, Liow said Malaysia was also working closely with the 167
countries affected by Influenza A (H1N1) outbreaks to combat the pandemic.

According to the World Health Organisation's statistics, the number of cases
of the disease has reached 183,826 with 1,301 deaths.

Malaysia has recorded over 1,000 cases with six deaths.

-- BERNAMA