SEREMBAN: The Health Ministry will issue a comprehensive set of guidelines in the next 48 hours on plans to combat the mosquito borne Zika virus following a declaration by the World Health Organisation that it has become an international public health emergency.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S Subramaniam said in the meantime Malaysians planning to visit South America should postpone travel plans.
"We are aware of the WHO advisory and are treating the matter seriously," he told reporters after launching the "Watch Your Weight, Watch Your Calories" healthy eating campaign at the south bound R&R along the North-South Expressway here Tuesday.
Subramanian said Malaysia was also at risk as the disease was spread by the aedes mosquito.
"The mosquito is the only vector that spreads Zika.
"So what we need to focus on is eradicating the vector to check the spread of the deadly virus here," he said.
Dr Subramaniam said another challenge faced by the authorities was the fact that carriers of the virus hardly displayed any symptoms.
"There is also no vaccine or known treatment for it," he said.
Dr Subramaniam said his ministry would also advise those returning from South America to be cautious if they experienced lethargy and any weakness in their limbs.
WHO declared the disease an international public health emergency when tens of thousands of babies were born in Brazil with damaged brains. The victims also had unusually small heads. The condition has been linked to, but not proven to be caused by the Zika virus.
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