SHAH ALAM, Oct 2 — The Health Ministry has drawn up a strategic plan to combat the Ebola epidemic as a preliminary move in case there are any cases detected in Malaysia.

Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam said the strategic plan included ways to overcome and manage cases including guidelines to the Immigration Department, airports and related ministries.

“We received information yesterday that the United States of America was reported to have detected one case connected to the epidemic, which is why we must be ready with the right system so that we can control it.

“We will try as best as we can to prevent it from entering the country,” he told reporters after launching the Awards Ceremony for Clean, Safe and Healthy Canteens at the Shah Alam Convention Centre here today.

He said as a preliminary move, tourists who had visited ‘Yellow Fever Countries (which included the Ebola-stricken countries) would be first quarantined at the airport before filling up a form at the Immigration office to record data of their entry into Malaysia.

He said the tourists would also be required to meet a medical doctor if they had a fever and to declare the history of their travels.

“All medical practitioners are urged to always note down the travel history of any individual especially if they see that there is a possibility the patient is from a Yellow Fever country.

“We have to gather the information in preparation for our efforts to control the disease, especially if there are symptoms,” he said. — Bernama