PETALING JAYA, July 2 – There has been no report of Malaysians, including umrah pilgrims, returning from Saudi Arabia and displaying symptoms of the deadly Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (Mers).
Nevertheless, the health ministry exercises caution and takes the relevant measures, which includes checking the body temperatures of those arriving at the airport.
Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam said, any person found to display symptoms of fever, would be asked to go for further medical examination.
Dr Subramaniam said this when commenting on the spread of the Mers virus which took the lives of 33 people in Saudi Arabia since September last year.
Fifty-five others fell ill as a result of the virus, in that country, he added.
He was speaking to reporters after launching the Malaysian Private Hospitals Association International Health Exhibition 2013 here today.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has yet to find a vaccine to prevent Mers, as well as the cause of the deadly infectious disease. Fever, breathing difficulty, diarrhoea and vomiting are among the symptoms of Mers.
Dr Subramaniam said Kuala Lumpur would continue to monitor developments in Jeddah and follow suggestions and opinions given by the Saudi Arabian authorities on ways to avoid the infection.
Earlier in his speech, the minister told the audience that the Malaysian healthcare industry was one of the most dynamic and vibrant sectors in the country as it was supported by the private healthcare sector.
Touching on healthcare technology, Dr Subramaniam said it had come into every aspect of daily life, way before the onset of illness.
“In the event of illness, healthcare technology will assist in decision-making and selection of appropriate medical practitioners through a central directory in the wellness data base,” he added.
– BERNAMA
