Even as the Health Ministry was denying that the detection of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) cases in Malaysia right up to this afternoon, ordinary people were taking matters into their own hands.

Their lack of confidence in the official assurances has been evident from the speed with which face masks and disinfectants have been picked up from pharmacies in Kuala Lumpur.

Sold out

A random check by malaysiakini at several pharmacies today revealed that face masks, alcohol swabs and disinfectant sprays have been snapped up over the past week, corresponding to news about SARS in neighbouring countries.

Face masks are said to be able to provide some protection from contracting SARS as they filter out droplets or aerosols from infected individuals.

Those who come in contact with SARS patients are advised to maintain hand hygiene by washing with soap and water. Alternatively, alcohol-based solutions may be used.

A pharmacist at a Guardian Pharmacy store in Bangsar Baru said face masks have been sold out in all the chain's outlets throughout the country.

"We last received stock two or three days ago of about 100 units, but these sold out very quickly as well," she said.

She also said alcohol swabs have registered rapid sales over the past two weeks, clearing out stocks in most stores.

Another pharmacist at a Georgetown outlet in the same locality confirmed that masks and alcohol swabs have also been sold out at several stores.

"The disinfectant sprays flew off our shelves. We have placed orders with our suppliers but they have not brought any new stock over yet," she said, adding that sales have picked up over the past week, due to news o­n SARS.

A shopkeeper at a traditional medicine shop said his supply of masks sold out two days ago and that he was waiting for fresh stocks to be delivered.

"People may not be wearing them o­n the streets because they are keeping them for use when they travel," he said.

Another medicine store operator in Jalan Bukit Bintang said that although sales of masks and disinfectants had picked up, he still has supplies of the items.

Rumours persist

Meanwhile, despite denials by the health ministry to date, several newspapers have reported SARS-related deaths in the country. Up to this afternoon, the ministry would o­nly say that 19 people have been quarantined out of 59 suspected cases.

Chinese daily Guang Ming Daily reported in its Monday evening edition that three persons have died of SARS in two Kuala Lumpur hospitals - the Kuala Lumpur General Hospital and the Kuala Lumpur Medical Centre (formerly University Hospital).

The three were said to be a 60-year-old man from Jerantut, Pahang, who had recently returned from a holiday to Guangzhou, China; a 45-year-old woman, also from Jerantut and another woman in her 40s from Serdang.

The New Straits Times today reported the death of a man in his fifties who had recently returned from China.

The man who was said to have been suffering from SARS symptoms for two weeks before he was admitted to Tawakal Hospital o­n Friday, died two days later.

However, the health ministry officials had refused to confirm that the deaths were due to SARS, saying instead that other illnesses were involved.