Preparing for the possibility of a Covid-19 pandemic

Unsung heroes: Malaysian health workers gearing up at KLIA as the second batch of Malaysian nationals, evacuated from the Chinese city of Wuhan arrived recently. – AFP/Health Ministry/Muzzafar Kasim.

IT’S all hands on deck as Malaysia prepares to face the possibility of a pandemic.

This is in response to the World Health Organisation (WHO)’s caution for countries to brace for a potential Covid-19 pandemic.

As Health Ministry director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah tells Sunday Star, “We are preparing for the worst and hoping for the best.”

Selangor Health Department director Datuk Dr Sha’ari Ngadiman says a pandemic would require a change of protocol from the current phase of disease containment. The protocol during a pandemic would be aimed at protecting vulnerable groups like the elderly and those with medical conditions to mitigate the situation.

Medical virologist Emeritus Prof Datuk Dr Lam Sai Kit says the last pandemic declared was in 2009 due to the H1N1 influenza.

“According to the WHO Guidelines for declaring a pandemic, there must be a sudden increase in the number of cases that is spread over several countries or continents, ” he says.

WHO has warned member countries not to be too optimistic as we do not know enough about this new virus and disease, and whether there could be a second wave.

As for the general public, Dr Lam, a Universiti Malaya research consultant, urges them to follow the guidelines issued by the ministry.

“As with SARS, MERS, H1N1 or other influenzas, personal hygiene is very important.

“This includes frequent hand-washing with soap and water, use of sanitisers, wearing of masks, reducing unnecessary travels to designated countries.

“If you show any symptoms of respiratory illnesses and may have exposure to a patient or been to a country where the disease is rampant, then see a doctor and get yourself tested, ” he adds.

Infectious disease specialist Datuk Dr Christopher Lee says Malaysia can’t afford to be complacent.

“The outbreak is very active in many areas globally.

“Movement into our country from these new epicenters is still a very likely possibility, ” he explains.

On the possibility of a pandemic, Dr Lee says the ministry has expanded its monitoring of travellers from high disease burden countries.

Measures like early case detection and testing, prompt isolation and case management and thorough contact tracing with the appropriate quarantine procedures will boost our defence.

“Nevertheless, society still has a major role to play and that is to raise the level of personal hygiene as individuals and as a country.

“This is to slow down the spread of Covid-19 within our communities if or when it were to get into our country, ” he says.

Hand hygiene and surface disinfection should be part of our daily culture and not just during disease outbreaks, he urges.

“We need to keep ourselves updated with the most current guidance from the ministry.

“This is still a very ‘new’ virus and there’re still quite a bit of gaps in our knowledge about it.

“If we do become unwell, seek appropriate medical attention and minimize contact with others, ” he advises.