If you want to travel to and from Malaysia and wondering if it's safe to do so in the light of the A(H1N1) flu, read on to get the low down and updates of this pandemic.
FAQ:
Travel-related:
Is it safe to travel?
Yes. Unless you are sick, then you should stay home until you are better. WHO does not recommend travel restrictions related to the outbreak of the influenza A(H1N1) virus.
To date (12 Aug), the death toll in Malaysia has been contained at 38 people out of 2,253 patients, which makes the percentage of fatality 1.68%.
Will everyone coming/returning to Malaysia be quarantined?
No. Only those who have been confirmed with the A(H1N1) flu will be quarantined and admitted to the hospital. Contacts on board the same flight as the infected will not be quarantined, unless they were seated as close as three rows in front and at the back of the A(H1N1) positive patients.
Will wearing a face mask or respirator help?
Disposable face masks may not completely protect you against the A(H1N1) flu virus. They are useful for people who are in crowded spaces, such as airplanes, where they will protect the mouth and nose from germs and reduce the likelihood of coughing or sneezing on other people.
According to WHO, face masks and respirators should only be worn once. Look for face masks labeled for surgical, dental, medical procedure, isolation or laser use.
For greater effectiveness, face masks and respirators should be used along with other precautions, such as frequent hand-washing, covering coughs, staying at home if ill and avoiding crowds.
For more information on face masks and respirators, see these Web pages from the CDC:
www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/infectioncontrol/maskguidance.htm
www.cdc.gov/Features/MasksRespirators/
www.cdc.gov/swineflu/masks.htm
What happens if I only find out I’m infected after my return?
For those who do not show any symptoms of A(H1N1) are advised on self-monitoring, as stated in the health alert cards distributed to them. If symptoms arise after their return from overseas, patients are advised to head to the nearest clinic for a check up. Such symptoms include coughs and fever.
Patients are also encouraged to wear 3 ply surgical masks to prevent spreading further the flu to the people they come in contact with. For more information on the usage of the masks, please visit the Ministry of Health website at www.moh.gov.my.
About A(H1N1):
What is the A(H1N1) influenza?
It is a type A respiratory disease that is the most common cause of influenza (flu) in humans. It is responsible for a small fraction of flu-like illness, such as the common cold, as well as seasonal flu. Other strains of H1N1 include swine influenza (from pigs) and avian influenza (from birds).
In June 2009, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has confirmed that the recent pandemic is a swine-origin H1N1, hence the publicly coined term – “swine flu”. The H1N1 pandemic has moved the alert level to phase 6, making it the first global pandemic since 1968.
How does the A(H1N1) flu spread?
The virus is spread from person-to-person as easily as the normal seasonal flu. It can be transmitted to other people by exposure to infected droplets expelled by coughing or sneezing that can be inhaled, or that can contaminate hands or surfaces.
To prevent spread, people who are ill should cover their mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, stay home when they are unwell, clean their hands regularly, and keep some distance from healthy people, as much as possible.
According to WHO, the place of origin of the virus is unknown.
In April 2009, it has been reported that a student returning to Malaysia from the US caught the A(H1N1) bug, and since then, cases have been reported of imported infection, as well as locally transmitted infection.
The A(H1N1) virus lingers in the air for an hour or two, and it is spread when the infected sneezes or coughs at someone else within a maximum of 3 meter proximity.
The A(H1N1) patients are considered potentially contagious as long as the infection is symptomatic, with up to possibly seven days following the onset of the illness. Children might be contagious for longer periods.
What are the A(H1N1) flu symptoms?
Symptoms of A(H1N1) flu are similar to those of regular flu, such as fever, lethargy, runny nose, cough, sore throat, lack of appetite, and in extreme cases, vomiting and diarrhoea.
For children, it is considered an emergency, and needs urgent medical attention when:
- they have difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- their skin colour is bluish or gray
- they are not drinking enough fluids
- they have severe or persistent cases of vomiting
- they are not waking up or not interacting
- they are being so irritated, they do not want to be held
- they have improved from flu-like symptoms, but returned with fever and worse coughs
For adults, immediate medical attention is called for when:
- they have difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- they feel pain or pressured in the chest or abdomen
- they have sudden pangs of dizziness
- they have sudden pangs of confusion
- they have severe or persistent cases of vomiting
- they have improved from flu-like symptoms, but returned with fever and worse coughs
Can the A (H1N1) flu be treated with antiviral drugs and/or flu vaccine?
The A(H1N1) flu is resistant to common drugs like Amantadine and Rimantadine. Vaccines for human seasonal flu may not provide protection for A(H1N1) flu as it is different from the human H1N1 viruses. However, a “seed vaccine” has been specifically tailored for this A(H1N1) flu, and will be manufactured when officials deem it necessary.
Any preventions to protect myself from the A(H1N1) flu?
As of yet, there is no vaccine available, but there are a few steps you can take to prevent the spread of the A(H1N1) flu:
- Cover your nose and mouth with a disposable tissue or handkerchief when you cough or sneeze, and discard the tissue in the bin afterwards.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing. Alcohol-based hand cleaners come in handy here.
- Avoid close contact with sick people; if you fell ill with influenza, initiate a self-imposed quarantine by staying at home and limit your contact with others to prevent contagion.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
- Consult your nearest healthcare facility if you think you have any of the symptoms.
What happens if I’m infected with the A(H1N1) flu?
Malaysia citizens who shows symptoms of the A(H1N1) flu upon their return from the infected countries will go through a health screen at the entrance gate of the arrival hall. A throat swab sample will be taken, and given treatment before they are sent home for quarantine.
For foreigners from the infected countries who show symptomatic signs will be sent to the hospital for immediate treatment. They will only be quarantined when they are confirmed to be A(H1N1) positive.
Will I get the A(H1N1) flu by eating pork or pork products?
No. The A(H1N1) flu virus is not transmitted by food. Cooking pork in an internal temperature of 70ºC and above will kill the flu virus. As long as you are consuming properly handled and cooked pork and pork products, you are safe. So, there is no need to lay off the char siew and bak kut teh!
Should I be worried?
The severity of the A(H1N1) flu is 1:220, which is 1 death out of 220 patients. It is considered very low compared to SARS, which is 1:12. A(H1N1) is a mild flu, and if treated carefully, patients have a good chance of recovering.
What precautions are taken in Malaysia?
The Ministry of Health has operations room in Putrajaya monitoring the A(H1N1) situation for 24 hours, and the public can call +6 03 8881 0200 / +6 03 8881 0300 for enquiries.
Other than that, Health Ministry officials are conducting health screenings on passengers arriving from the Unite States, and thermal scanners are placed at international airports to speed up the screening process. Those returning from Latin American countries and has flu-like symptoms will be quarantined.
Public and private practitioners all over Malaysia have been instructed to report to the district health office any patient with influenza-like illnesses or severe pneumonia symptoms including flu patients who have travelled to the affected countries after April 17.
If you are travelling, please take a moment to check out the travel advisory by the Foreign Ministry.
Where can I get more information?
For more information, check out the Ministry of Health website at www.moh.gov.my, or call them at +6 03 8881 0200 / +6 03 8881 0300.
Other useful links to check out are as follow:
Ministry of Foreign Affairs: http://www.kln.gov.my/
World Health Organization: www.who.int
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: www.cdc.gov
Homeland Security Department: www.dhs.gov
WHO A (H1N1) flu page: http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html
