SEGAMAT, Sept 3 — The Health Ministry will conduct a thorough investigation into allegations that a family of three in Malacca who recently had returned from Singapore are believed to be infected with the Zika virus, said its minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam.

He said the ministry would carry out blood and urine tests on them before making any further announcements on that matter.

"We have to wait for the results of the blood and urine tests, because sometimes a person can be suspected but shows negative infection,” he told reporters here today.

He said this when asked to comment on rumours spread through social media about the family suspected to be infected with the Zika virus and had been quarantined at their home in Durian Tunggal, Malacca.

Subramaniam, who is also Member of Parliament for Segamat, said even if the blood test shows positive, it is still not enough to prove that a person is infected with the Zika virus and they must undergo further two tests for confirmation.

Subramaniam said in fact there may be more Zika virus cases in the country as many Malaysians visit and even work in Singapore.

"The Singapore government has announced nearly 100 of their people have been infected with the virus but I think the number is probably higher than that because there are cases that have yet to be detected.

"The chances of the virus spreading to Malaysia is high,” he said.

The minister advised Malaysians who wish to visit the city-state, either for the purpose of working or travelling, to always wear long sleeved-clothing to avoid risk of infection.

He said the only effective method to prevent the spread of the virus was to control the mosquito breeding grounds.

"The task to control mosquito breeding grounds and the spread of Zika virus is not solely the responsibility of the ministry and related authorities, it is a responsibility of all.

"I urge non-governmental organisations and resident associations to assist the government by organising ‘gotong-royong’ programmes to clean up any mosquito breeding grounds,” he said.

Before this, a 58-year-old-women from Bandar Botanic, Klang, Selangor was reported to be the first victim to be infected by the Zika virus in Malaysia after returning from Singapore. — Bernama