PUTRAJAYA, Sept 21 ― Asean countries have agreed to enhance cooperation to combat the Zika outbreak by sharing resources that includes the latest data and technical support, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam said today.
Asean governments have since outlined the initiative in a joint statement issued after a video conference between the health ministers of each member states was held on Monday, Subramaniam revealed.
At the same time, the minister said that up to date, no new Zika cases have been reported in Malaysia although Singapore and Thailand have recorded an increase in the number of infections.
“We shared the situation of each country and our experiences in dealing with the outbreak and declaration was agreed upon and by all ministries of health of Asean nations,” he told reporters here.
“One of the points we agreed on was to beef up surveillance and to leverage on the risk assessment mechanism using all the latest technical data collected and channelled through WHO (World Health Organisation),” he added.
A WHO representative also took part in the conference.
Asean governments have also agreed to set up a joint committee that will conduct research and sharing of new knowledge and best practices that will be used to intensify measures to contain the spread of the Zika virus.
Up to September 9, there were six Zika cases confirmed throughout Malaysia.
In addition, the Health Ministry said it found 116 cases of suspected Zika infections to date, but all have tested negative.
Subramaniam said the Institute of Medical Research have also conducted tests and found that the Zika strain found in three of the infected Malaysians were almost similar to those found in infected Singaporeans.
“Studies have shown that is of Asian lineage,” he said.
