Groups at high risk of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (Sars) may soon be required to put o­n respiratory masks in o­ngoing efforts to contain the spread of the deadly disease.

Health Minister Chua Jui Meng said the ministry is working o­n the guidelines to decide the whos, whens and wheres.

The ruling was discussed during the cabinet meeting this morning, said the minister at a press conference in his ministry's office today.

No deadline has been fixed for the guideline to be completed, he added.

Vaccination

He reiterated that kindergartens and schools will not be closed at this moment as decided by the cabinet.

Chua said his ministry also has taken notice of the Malaysia Medical Association's (MMA) statement earlier that some traditional medicine companies are exploiting the scare by claiming that their products are effective to treat Sars.

He warned that those companies are punishable under the Control of Drugs and Cosmetics Regulation, 1984.

Upon conviction, an individual faces a fine of up to RM25,000 or a jail term of three years or both for first offence. A subsequent offence would entail a maximum fine of RM50,000 or a jail term of five years, or both.

A company found guilty would face a maximum RM50,000 fine for the first offence, up to RM100,000 for a subsequent offence.

"People should not be exploiting the situation. No medicine can treat Sars so far and there is no vaccination against Sars," Chua said.

"We have also been told that certain medical practitioners have given the public influenza vaccines when the people consult them (about Sars). I am warning (these medical practitioners) to stop it immediately."

Asked if any initiative has been taken to trace these companies, the minister said: "We wouldn't know what (complaints the) people are making."

He appealed to the public for their cooperation to expose such companies by contacting the Sars operation room at 03-2694 6394/38054.

Authoritative avenue

Meanwhile, the minister reminded government leaders about the "authoritative avenue" to talk o­n Sars.

He said two state exco member in Penang and Perak who were quoted in media reports o­n the Sars issue have violated the cabinet decision authorising o­nly the health minister and the ministry's director-general and deputy director-general to comment o­n Sars.

"There is clear and authoritative avenue to talk about Sars. Hence, they have violated the cabinet decision and their respective party presidents have agreed in the cabinet today to advise them," Chua said without naming the two.

The cabinet today decided to include the Housing and Local Government Ministry into the special national committee set up to tackle Sars, comprising ministries, government authorities and private medical associations.

Asked if any specimen from the three probable cases reported so far have been sent overseas for tests, Chua said all tests are done by the Institute of Medical Research (IMR) and urged the public not to cast doubt o­n IMR's capability.

"I must remind you that in this country, we have succeeded in identifying the Nipah virus within five months. Malaysia identified the Nipah virus," he stressed.

Questioned about some quarters who are still casting doubts o­n the figures released by the ministry, Chua reiterated that the ministry "has nothing to hide".

"I have said we have Sars, but there is another syndrome - the syndrome of high suspicion," he said.