The National Union of Bank Employees (Nube) has expressed concern on the steps taken by a bank in Malacca to protect its staff and the public from a potentially deadly Influenza A (H1N1) outbreak.

 

A bank employee's 10-year-old son died at about midnight today.

The Health Ministry in a statement confirmed that the boy was diagnosed with viral encephalitis caused by H1N1.

 

The boy is believed to have visited the bank before he was hospitalised, prompting quarantine procedures being imposed.

 

However Nube deputy secretary-general A Karuna ( left ) claimed only one department, located on the first floor, has been sealed off.

 

"Why is the whole bank not quarantined for disinfection? Instead they have just quarantined that department.

 

"The rest of the bank is working. Our concern is what happens to the public who come to the bank, (and) the other workers who may  be exposed to infection," she said.

 

The worst case scenario would be a major H1N1 outbreak in Malacca.

 

The bank has reportedly not responded to Nube's request for clarification.

 

Malaysiakini

is attempting to reach both the Health Ministry and the bank in question.

 

Last Friday, the bank employee's son was admitted to a private hospital in Malacca with high fever. he later fell into a coma before passing away.

 

The Malacca government has vaccinated  children at the boy's school, Sekolah Rendah Jenis Kebangsaan (Cina) Pay Teck as a precaution.

 

Yesterday, Bernama reported Health Minister Dr S Subramaniam as saying H1N1 is under control, and there are no plans to declare an epidemic as yet.