The Penang government is not taking any chances in preventing the possible outbreak of the deadly swine flu in the state.

law choo kiang and phee boon poh pc on swine flu 270409 It has put relevant authorities on a round-the-clock high alert to prevent the spread of the deadly flu following the steps taken by the Health Ministry to keep out the lethal epidemic.

The state government has instructed the veterinary services and health departments, and local councils to check all eatery outlets, pig farms and entry points to ensure that the deadly flu does not reach Penang.

State executive councillor Phee Boon Poh called on Penangites to immediately seek treatment if they were to have symptoms of the swine flu, also commonly known as Mexican flu, such as fever, phlegm, cough, body aching and breathing difficulties.

“So far there is no reported case of swine flu in Penang.

“We want to keep it that way,” said Phee, who is in charge of the health, welfare, environment and caring society portfolios.

Keep an eye on your pigs, farmers told

Eatery outlets have been told to be more careful where they buy their pork meat, while pig farmers have been told to monitor the health conditions on their livestock regularly. Health officials from various departments will carry out regular checks at these farms.

“Symptoms in the animals will be same as in humans,” Phee told newsmen during a break at the Penang legislative assembly sitting in Georgetown today.

Health checks have been intensified on visitors, including foreigners and locals returning from abroad.

swine flu epidemic 270409 03 Visitors, particularly those who were in Mexico, Canada, California and Texas in the past few weeks, would be subjected to thorough checks as the state authorities step up their preventive measures to keep out the swine flu.

“Anyone found to have swine flu symptoms will be immediately quarantined and observed to prevent an outbreak here,” said Phee. Hospitals and clinics have been instructed to immediately report such cases.

300,000 pigs in Penang

At the same press conference, state executive councillor Law Choo Kiang said the veterinary services department would soon sent out notices on the matter to pig farmers.

Penang has some 200 farms with about 300,000 pigs in the state.

Pointing out that the contagious flu was fatal to both animals and human, he called on pig farmers to be on high alert and not to take the problem lightly.

“If they failed to do so, they are putting themselves at high risk which could cost them dearly,” said Law, who is in charge of the state agricultural, agro-based industries, rural development and flood mitigation portfolios.

swine flu epidemic 270409 04 According to the World Health Organisation, the swine flu has recorded 854 cases, including 59 deaths. All cases so far are confined to Mexico, Canada and US.

The Mexican, Canadian and US authorities are working overtime to control and prevent the swine flu from spreading.

Meanwhile in Johor Baru, Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said the government has stepped up monitoring at all entry points in the country.

“The Health Ministry will work closely with other government agencies, including the Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ministry, at all these entry points," he told reporters.

Muhyiddin also advised the people not to panic, adding that the protocol used by government agencies during the bird flu outbreak would be applied and tightened to prevent any outbreak of swine flu in the country.