GEORGE TOWN, May 11 — Penang has strengthened health security at its international entry points at both the port and international airport to prevent the spread of hantavirus here.

State exco for health, youth and sports Daniel Gooi Zi Sen said steps have been taken to tighten international entry screening measures.

“These steps include increasing the capacity of existing laboratories to assist in detecting potential hantavirus infections,” he said in a press conference at the state legislative assembly today.

He reiterated a statement by the Ministry of Health that at present hantavirus cases occurred mainly in European countries so the likelihood of transmission in Malaysia is considered relatively low.

However the state health department has continued to implement health security protocols.

“We have health officers stationed at international entry points including at the ports,” he said.

He said ships arriving at Penang’s ports are subject to specific protocols to inspect their cleanliness and related health conditions.

“For the information of the media, according to the, from January 1 to May 2 this year, a total of 22,367 ships and boats were inspected at international entry points nationwide across major ports,” he said.

During the same period, Gooi said 2,421 sanitary certificates and 1,146 Ship Sanitation Certificates (SSC) were issued to ensure vessels entering the country comply with public health requirements, sanitation standards, and pest control measures in line with international health regulations.

“These are existing public health protocols already in place, implemented under the Ministry of Health to prevent the spread of infectious diseases,” he said.

He said these protocols have been in place for a long time.

Among the common measures include the use of infrared cameras to detect if a person has a fever or related symptoms.

“This is part of the established protocol to prevent disease transmission,” he said.

He said health officers at all international entry points have been reminded to remain alert to symptoms associated with the virus.

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