Malaysia: Johor entry points screening tightened after Singapore's new Zika cases

The Star 10 Jun 17;

BALIK PULAU: Malaysia has tightened health screenings at all entry points, especially in Johor, following reports of two new cases of the Zika virus in Singapore.

Deputy Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Yahaya said so far, there were no reports of the mosquito-borne viral infection involving Malaysians.

"I want the Johor Health Department to be more careful and alert, and perform more stringent monitoring, especially at the Malaysia-Singapore entrance.

"We have body temperature sensors that can detect those having fever at entry points in Johor, and if there are cases (of zika) health officials must take appropriate action.

"But so far, there has been no new cases in Malaysia," he told reporters after presenting contributions to the needy in the Balik Pulau parliamentary constituency here Saturday.

Singapore confirmed two new cases of the virus, bringing the total number of reported cases in the country to eight.

In September last year, a woman from Bandar Botanic, Klang in Selangor became the first Malaysian to be infected with the virus after visiting her daughter, who was also infected, in Singapore.

In another development, Dr Hilmi, who is also Balik Pulau MP, denied that the ministry had banned the sale of a popular brand of dates after reports on social media claimed they contained worms.

"I have received complaints that staff from the state health department had notified traders of dates not to sell the fruit distributed by a popular brand when in fact, the ministry has never issued such a ban on the matter, and we have made inspections at the warehouse of the company concerned, and no worms were found as claimed on social media.

"Even if there was such a case, maybe there were parties who had disguised themselves as health department staff or it could be from a competitor.

"However, if date traders are approached by health department staff forbidding them to sell the fruit, they can report it to the health ministry," he said.

He noted the worms found in dates were also not detrimental to health as they were similar to those found in fruits such as durian and mangoes. - Bernama


Johor on alert for Zika
ZAZALI MUSA The Star 11 Jun 17;

JOHOR BARU: Johor is closely monitoring for Zika cases in the state following reports of two new cases in Singapore.

State Health, Environment, Education and Information committee chairman Datuk Ayub Rahmat said the focus would be on two land links to Singapore - the Johor Causeway and the Second Link Crossing in Tanjung Kupang, Gelang Patah.

"Thousands of people are using both links daily and we are monitoring the situation," he said in a statement on Sunday.

Ayub said staff from the state Health Department would monitor the body temperature of travellers at the Johor Causeway and the Second Link Crossing using thermal scanners, which have been set up.

"We are also taking preventive measures in housing estates or locations where many Malaysians live and travel regularly to the republic," he added.

Ayub said that the state Health Department would deploy more medical staff at the two entry points if more Zika cases were reported in Singapore.

It was reported on Saturday that Malaysia had tightened health screenings at all entry points, especially in Johor, following reports of two new cases of the Zika virus in Singapore.

Deputy Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Yahaya said so far, there were no reports of the mosquito-borne viral infection involving Malaysians.

"I want the Johor Health Department to be more careful and alert, and perform more stringent monitoring, especially at the Malaysia-Singapore entrance.

"We have body temperature sensors that can detect those having fever at entry points in Johor, and if there are cases of Zika, health officials must take appropriate action," he added.


Zika screening intensified at all major entry points
The Star 11 Jun 17;

BALIK PULAU: Malaysia has intensified health screenings at all entry points, especially in Johor, following reports of two new cases of the zika virus in Singapore.

Deputy Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Yahaya said so far, there are no reports of the mosquito-borne viral infection involving Malaysians.

“I want the Johor Health Department to be more careful and alert, and perform more stringent monitoring, especially at the Malaysia-Singapore entrance.

“We have body temperature sensors that can detect those having fever at entry points in Johor, and if there are cases (of zika), health officials must take appropriate action.

“But so far, there has been no new cases in Malaysia,” he told reporters after presenting contributions to the needy in the Balik Pulau parliamentary constituency yesterday.

At the event, a total of 850 recipients received cash assistance, rice and other necessities.

Yesterday, Singapore confirmed two new cases of the zika virus, bringing the total number of reported cases in the republic to eight.

In September last year, a woman from Bandar Botanic, Klang in Selangor, became the first Malaysian infected with zika after visiting her daughter, who was also infected with the virus, in Singapore.

In another development, Dr Hilmi, who is also Balik Pulau MP, denied that the Health Ministry had banned the sale of a popular brand of dates after reports on social media claimed they contained worms. — Bernama