Monday, July 2, 2007

Melaka Virus to be renamed


LABIS: The newly discovered “Melaka Virus” would be renamed, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek said.
He said the new name of the virus would be given according to the list of guidelines drafted by an international committee.
However, he said the new name has yet to be determined.
“We may name it according to the place where the patient infected with the virus is from,’’ said Dr Chua.
Previously, the new virus was named after the scientist who discovered it.
However, Dr Chua, who is also Labis MP, said this was no longer practiced in the field.
The move to rename the virus was taken following a protest from the Malacca Chief Minister.
“We will look into this, if can, we will rename the virus as we also do not want to tarnish the good name of the state,’’ he said.
Dr Chua was speaking to reporters after officiating at the Tenaga Nasional sub station in Kampung Orang Asli Kemidak, about 20km from Bekok.
The sub station is meant to provide electricity to 49 houses in the village as well as Kampung Orang Asli Selai, some two kilometers away.
Residents of the interior villages have been using oil lamps, generators or even living in the dark during night time for over 300 years before electricity supply was connected to their houses last month.
Also present was Bekok state assemblyman Tan Kok Hong, Tenang state assemblyman Suleiman Tahar and TNB Southern Region general manager Mohd Mokhtar Mohd Ali

tunku : at last the health minister got the brain.

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