By Rosli Abidin Yahya
Concerned members of the public
are hoping for an intensification of measures against possible
outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) amid
increasing fatalities across the world.
They said measures may include
the need for the population to wear of N-95 protective mask to
protect them against potential SARS.
The N-95 masks had been
developed in accordance with WHO standards to prevent
transmission of viral diseases, they said.
Since the World Health
Organisation (WHO) issued a travel advisory on March 15 to and
from SARS-prone countries such as Singapore, Hong Kong, China
and Vietnam, the Ministry of Health has issued a similar travel
advisory to those SARS-prone countries.
"Health alert pamphlets
issued by the Ministry of Health to passengers and flight crew
to and from SARS-prone countries may be necessary," they
said.
The pamphlets contain general
information on SARS symptoms that include a high fever of over
38 degrees Celsius, coughing, difficulty in breathing and
muscular pain, as well as what to do if the card recipients
happen to have these symptoms.
They added the pamphlets may
also be necessary to be distributed to members of the public so
they know the symptoms and get medical attention.
"Apart from the pamphlets,
health alert cards must also be distributed which list down the
symptoms of the illness and travellers who have such symptoms
must seek medical help immediately.
"An ambulance team should
also be put on standby at all entry points for emergency
cases," they said.
Meanwhile, classes saw plenty
of absenteeism on the second day of the school term as many
parents were still taking precautions so their children would
not mix with other students who returned from holidays in
affected countries.
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