December 2, 2005

Malaysia allocates RM60 million for bird flu fight

Malaysia's government said it has approved RM60 million to be allocated towards preparations against bird flu.

Health Minister Chua Soi Lek said the money would fund programmes such as stockpiling antiviral drugs, upgrading hospitals to accommodate patients, increasing awareness about bird flu and vaccinating people at high-risk of catching the disease.

About 220,000 people have been initially identified for vaccination, if the disease hit Malaysia, Chua said.

People considered being at high-risk of exposure, included staff of the veterinary services department, doctors, nurses, some agriculture officials, police and military forces as well as fire fighters.

Chua added that authorities would continue to identify people in high-risk groups occasionally.

Meanwhile, Tamiflu is expected to start arriving in June 2006, as part of Malaysia's stockpile of antiviral drugs, Chua said.