Govt urged to install screening machines at airports

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KOTA KINABALU: Moyog assemblyman Terrence Siambun has proposed that the government installed screening machines at all entry points to the state, especially at airports.

The proposal was made following the detection of a Chinese woman having the Avian Influenza A (H7N9) virus when she and a group of Chinese tourists were visiting Sabah.

“Although the Health Ministry has assured that this type of bird flu can only spread to humans from infected poultry and the possibility of human to human infection is very rare, we should be more careful. I believe prevention if better than cure.

“It is important to increase the security system, especially at the airport to avoid any unwanted threats such as the H7N9 to enter the country,” Siambun said yesterday.

He said the screening machines at the airport should be permanent, not only when the tourists had entered the country.

“From what I read, the particular tourist was in Kuala Lumpur before landing in Sabah. What will happen if the virus is very active and spreads from human to human easily?” he asked.

Siambun also urged the Health Department and local authority to work together by giving a clear picture on the latest virus to the public in order to avoid any confusion and panic.

“The people are worried about their health, especially when the H1N1 pandemic arrived in Malaysia only a few years ago. Since the ministry is saying this H7N9 is not that serious, the message should reach the people not only in the urban but also sub-urban and interior areas.

“Without proper explanation, the people will not stop sharing their worries with family and friends via the social media,” he added.