KUANTAN: The government has decided against releasing information on Influenza A(H1N1) hot spots in the country, with Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin saying it was not a practical idea.

He said that disclosing locations with rampant A(H1N1) cases would bring about numerous implications.

For instance, if an area was declared to be free of A(H1N1), the people there might take the pandemic for granted.

On the other hand, he said, if a locality was declare to be a H1N1 hot spot, this would negatively impact the area.

"For instance if there are A(H1N1) cases detected in Kuantan, we cannot say don't go to Kuantan. On the other hand, those living outside the hot spots may take the matter lightly. This is also dangerous," he told reporters here. (Bernama)