We refer to the Malaysiakini report Two classes closed, flu count hits 105 .

With the sudden spike in the number of confirmed /suspected H1N1 flu infection cases in Malaysia, the general public should take whatever precautions necessary to safeguard themselves and others from the spread of this Influenza A.

We believe that the N95 face mask must be something you do not leave home without. In addition to that, we must do all things possible to keep our immune system in top working condition.

Fruits high in vitamin C and B are helpful in supporting functions of the immune system. Those with chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, heart problems or diseases which compromise the immune system should be extra cautious.

We should follow good personal hygiene practices diligently. However, the Malaysian Association of Standards Users would like to point out that many public toilet facilities in town and at universities, schools and hypermarkets/supermarkets etc, do not provide soap/detergents for hand washing purposes.

It is the moral and social obligation of building owners to ensure that hand wash soaps are made available to their visitors in light of recurring diseases with a pandemic potential.

Local governments should be an essential part of an emergency response system during a pandemic/epidemic outbreak etc. They have the function to ensure that building projects are approved based on safety criteria among others.

Considering the increase in the spread of communicable diseases and the almost uncontrollable spread of dengue and chikungunya, approval to construct public buildings must consider proper sanitation facilities to support and encourage good hygiene practices in addition to efficient energy use and waste management.

Local governments also issue licenses to restaurant operators and to food vendors. Restaurants, in general, seriously lack consideration for safe food handling which includes the use of hair restrainers, gloves, masks and clean aprons.

Waiters and food handlers with clean aprons, towels and hair restrainers are becoming an ‘endangered species’ in many restaurants. Using face masks to minimise aerosol contamination is essential especially with the spread of disease through droplets from coughing and sneezing.

Our experience at restaurants in suburban and rural areas has always been nasty in terms of food hygiene conditions.

We hope training and awareness programmes are assigned to people with access to grassroots and are able to deliver the information effectively considering that the health and local government authorities are almost overwhelmed by public and environmental health regulation activities.

Hospitals are frequented by people with all kinds of ailments and diseases. Hospital management should provide proper instructions to visitors on how to avoid infection of both themselves and others.

Any measure taken to contain the spread of communicable diseases should be in the interest of the patient and the safety of healthcare personnel.

Adequate signage and identification of designated places in hospitals for suspected cases, mild cases and confirmed cases will give confidence to members of the public that the emergency response system for an outbreak is efficient, reliable and credible.

The writer is chef executive officer, Malaysian Association of Standards Users.