The Malaysian government has earmarked about 4 million ringgit (1.06 million US dollars) for the purchase of antiviral drugs as part of its preparatory measures to prevent an outbreak of bird flu pandemic, local media reported on Wednesday.

"The government has approved about 4 million ringgit to buy the drug and we are in the process of procuring the first batch, which will be enough for 60,000 people," an official from the Health Ministry was quoted as saying by The Star.

Priority will be given to those people whose work exposes them to either bird flu patients or sick animals, said Ramlee Rahmat, Director of the Disease Control Division.

The government hopes to stockpile enough antiviral drugs to meet the needs of about 10 percent of its population under a comprehensive plan to get the country prepared for an avian influenza pandemic, Ramlee said.

Also under the plan, 21 hospitals have been designated to care for bird flu patients and the Health Ministry will keep a close eye on those atypical influenza cases reported in various clinics, Ramlee added.

Source: Xinhua