PUTRAJAYA: The Health Ministry has debunked a message that has gone viral on social media linking a death at a local private hospital to consuming food wrapped in banana leaf and supposedly caused by the Nipah virus.
In a statement Tuesday, Selangor state health director Datuk Dr Khalid Ibrahim said the ministry had conducted an investigation and found that there was no patient admitted to any hospitals with such a case.
The district health offices, state health department and the ministry were not notified of any case involving any disease or incidence of food poisoning suspected to be caused by the use of banana leaf or suspected of being infected with the Nipah virus.
The WhatsApp message stated that a woman had encountered breathing difficulties and died later after consuming a meal wrapped in banana leaf that had the virus.
Dr Khalid urged the public not to believe news and messages that were not verified.
He said it would be best for them to get confirmation from the ministry before passing on incorrect information. - Bernama
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