Malaysians travelling to West Africa advised to take precautionary measures against Ebola

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysians who are planning to travel to West Africa have been advised to take precautionary measures against the Ebola virus (EVD).

Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said EVD was a deadly disease with a high fatality rate.

"Early signs of the EVD are fever, muscle aches, headache, sore throat, lack of energy and weakness, vomitting and diarrhoea, rashes, kidney as well as liver failure.

"There were also cases of haemorrhage. The disease can lead to death," he said in a statement on Thursday.

He also advised the public to practise good hygiene such as washing their hands with soap and water or using hand sanitiser.

"Avoid going near people who are sick including having contact with bodily fluids of individuals infected with EVD, and houses or health facilities connected to the Ebola outbreak.

"Avoid handling wild animals that are sick or have died, and return home quickly after visiting the affected countries. They must seek treatment immediately if they don't feel well and to inform the attending doctor of their travel history," Dr Noor said.

He said as of July 25, 2014, the World Health Organisation reported that 1,201 of the EVD cases were from Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea in West Africa, involving 672 deaths.

He said in Malaysia, notification of EVD was mandated under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Disease Act 1988.

"Even though there has not been any EVD notification in Malaysia, the ministry is constantly monitoring and prepared for any possible cases of Ebola virus entering the country," he added. - Bernama