SEGAMAT, June 13 ― Doctors in the country should be more observant when attending to patients with fever as they could be infected with zika virus.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam said they should refer to medical institutions with capability to conduct study on the virus carried by mosquitoes if the patient showed symptoms of the disease.
“For the time being, zika has only been detected in Singapore, we have so far not receive any reports and we are screening fever cases especially for signs of zika.
“But as we have done in the past, we will step up screening at checkpoints apart from asking people who have signs of fever, rashes, eye and muscular pains to see a doctor,” he told reporters at the ‘Jom Sihat sempena Ramadan’ event at Makam Lubuk Batu Mosque in Gemereh here yesterday.
Also present was Segamat Umno division chief Zahari Sarip.
At the function, 110 people received cash assistance, hampers and other essential items.
Subramaniam, who is Segamat MP, said all doctors were reminded to take blood samples of patients as it is only way to detect the virus from spreading.
Meanwhile he said the call on people to postpone their trips to Singapore was not feasible as there about 200,000 Malaysians working in the republic.
“We can only advise people going into Singapore to take precautionary measures. At the same time, they are reminded to be on the alert,” he said.
Last Friday, Singapore confirmed two new cases of zika virus, bringing the total number of cases reported in the country to eight. ― Bernama
