Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Swine Flu Holds A Grip On Malaysians In New York


WASHINGTON, April 29 (Bernama) -- The outbreak of swine flu in Queens, New York, has Malaysians living in the area worried about their health, especially when going out in public areas.

A Malaysian diplomat who does not want to be identified said his home was only a 20-minute drive from the St Francis Preparatory School, the epicentre of the swine flu outbreak, following the return of several students from Mexico over spring break.

The prep school is being shut down for clean up. More than 100 students were reported sick last week following the outbreak.

There are around five Malaysian families, whose spouses work at the Malaysian mission, living in Queens, and hundreds more of Malaysian origin who have made New York their home for many years.

No Malaysians have been reported ill from the virus so far.

"We're taking precautions - to wash our hands, and we've been informed by our children's schools to go immediately to the doctor should anyone start coughing or show symptoms of the flu," the diplomat said. The symptoms are coughing, aches, high fever and diarrhoea.

The Malaysian officer said he has a seven-year-old son going to a public school that is only eight minutes from the prep school.

"I drive him to school and my wife picks him up. I am worried, but everything seems to be under control for now," he added.

Another long-time Malaysian in New York said she continues her routine of going to work and coming home on the New York subway.

"People are scared of the flu, but yet I don't see anyone wearing a mask, not even during rush hour at Grand Central Station.

"In Queens, it is very quiet outside, nobody wants to hang around," she said.

"If you have to go, you have to go," she said, "but still you can't be too careful!"

The number of confirmed deaths in Mexico, where the flu started, is at 20. The suspected death toll has risen to about 150 and almost 2,000 have been hospitalised with pneumonia.

In the United States, the number of confirmed cases has doubled to 45, and the public have been advised to postpone trips to Mexico.

Swine flu cases in the United States have been identified in New York, Ohio, Kansas, Texas and California.

Meanwhile, in HAVANA, where the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) meeting is ongoing, Cuba has barred flights coming in and going to Mexico from Havana. Malaysian Foreign Minister Datuk Anifah Aman is attending the NAM meeting.

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