SIBU: Despite not having any reported H7N9 flu case in the country, the state Health Department is beefing up precautionary measures to keep the deadly disease at bay.
According to Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, H7N9 virus was more dangerous and serious as its mortality rate was 60 per cent higher than H1N1, which only had a 0.4 per cent risk.
For that, Sarawak Health Department director Datu Dr Zulkifli Jantan said: “Within the state, we monitor the number of cases of flu from clinics and outpatients departments weekly.
“There are no extra measures at the airport as there is no direct flight.”
He also advised those feeling unwell after their China trip to seek immediate medical attention.
Dr Zulkifli was asked on stringent measures taken at the state-level to keep away the disease when speaking to The Borneo Post yesterday.
Meanwhile, Liow reportedly told Bernama the virus was an isolated case and had only been reported in China, adding that the Malaysian government had upped surveillance and obtained guidelines from the World Health Organisation (WHO) regarding the new strain of avian influenza.
AFP reported four more people in China had been infected with the new strain of bird flu which claimed two lives there.
The source quoted the health bureau in the eastern province of Jiangsu as saying three women and a man had contracted H7N9 avian influenza.
It further mentioned that one of the patients from Nanjing City worked slaughtering live poultry.
A senior private medical practitioner Dr Hu Chang Hock advised local travellers to China to keep their eyes and ears open to announcement from the Ministry of Health and WHO.
He pointed out the overall situation of H7N9 in China was still unclear hence, it was important to keep themselves posted on the latest development.
“It is best to avoid contact with animals and keep away from poultry farm. It is also important to consume only well cooked food.
“Drink lots of water and as far as possible, avoid spicy food,” Dr Hu said when asked on general precautions that travellers need to take when visiting China.
He advised them to visit their doctors here and obtain the necessary medications such as those for fever, flu and diarrhoea.
“Those with weakened immune system such as diabetes or cancer patients need to take adequate rest and should not tire themselves out during the tour.”
Dr Hu stressed that immediate medical attention was most important if one was unfeeling unwell and not wait until the situation worsen to see a doctor.
Among others, he advised travellers to bring enough clothing to avoid falling sick.
He further advised people, especially the elderly to avoid trying out the traditional medicine there, including herbs to avoid any health complications.
Asked on masks, he suggested travellers bring them along as this could be handy when they need them later.