Health ministry to release guideline on Zika virus
main news image

This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily, on February 3, 2016.

 

SEREMBAN: The health ministry is expected to release in the next few days a comprehensive guideline on ways to prevent the spread of Zika virus in the country.

Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S Subramaniam said the guidelines would include steps to be taken by the ministry and an advisory to the public to stay safe from infection.

“Malaysia will face a challenge of the virus spreading very fast if it is found in the country, as we already have the mosquitoes — the same one that causes dengue fever,” he told reporters after launching a calorie awareness campaign at the Seremban rest and recreation stop.

He added that apart from Malaysia, other countries at risk include Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines.

According to the ministry, the guideline will cover a travel advisory as well as advice to the public and pregnant women to inform the ministry upon returning from countries where the Zika virus is prevalent.

It is understood that the ministry will also monitor those who return from affected countries, even if they do not show any possible symptom.

Travellers’ homes will also be monitored, followed by fogging if necessary.

The ministry will also keep in touch with pregnant women who return from affected countries, take blood samples and scan for any possible sign showing that the baby has been affected.

Dr Subramaniam said yesterday Malaysia is at high risk and the ministry is still discussing the best ways to tackle the situation.

“It is a challenge to us as the individual carrying the virus shows no symptom,” he added.

The public has been advised not to travel to South America, where the virus is spreading quickly.

When asked how checks at entry points would detect those infected, Dr Subramaniam said it is one of the challenges faced by the ministry.

“Yes, the thermal scanner at entry points would not be able to pick up the signals.

“And upon entering the country, the patient would not seek medical treatment, but the virus is in them,” he said.

He said the situation is considered very serious and the ministry is doing all it can to handle the spread of the virus.

“There is also no drug to treat the disease and no vaccine,” Dr Subramaniam added. — The Malaysian Insider

Print
Text Size
Share