Put on high alert by the recent avian influenza outbreaks in neighbouring Indonesia and Thailand, Malaysia is not letting its guard down and is trying to prevent the virus from reappearing on its soil. The focus is now on the Malaysia - Thailand border, as Thailand has discovered tens of patients who might be carriers of the virus, in 19 provinces. Indonesia has also been heavily hit by the virus, as its death toll has reached 42 in the last year, almost topping Vietnam as the world’s hardest-hit country. However, Vietnam can boast severe measures of protection which have prevented any bird flu related deaths this year. One Malaysian health authority said that people should give their full cooperation to authorities in ensuring that chickens, dead or alive, and their connected products, were not illegally introduced into the country. Smugglers are one threat that Malaysian authorities fear could bring the dangerous virus into the country. All state health departments are on high alert for people with flu-like symptoms, especially foreigners coming to Malaysia who have previously been in bird flu infected countries. Another measure taken are simulation exercises, like the one that took place at all health clinics and hospitals in the provinces of Sarawak, Penang and Johore.