PETALING JAYA: Malaysian health authorities have started screening passengers at international checkpoints following an outbreak of pneumonia in Wuhan, China.
Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said surveillance for influenza-like illness (ILI) and severe acute respiratory infection had been intensified at all sentinel locations to prevent an outbreak in Malaysia.
"We are emphasising on stepping up screening activities to check travellers with fever and suspected symptoms," he said in a statement on Monday (Jan 6).
"Screening activities have also been strengthened at government clinics and hospital emergency departments to ensure suspected cases are handled in accordance with preventive and infection control procedures," he added.
Dr Noor Hisham said the state and district health offices as well as the Health Ministry's crisis preparedness and response centre (CPRC) should be immediately notified of suspected cases.
He said health facilities should be fully equipped with personal protective equipment for all healthcare personnel involved, apart from ensuring sufficient stockpile of medication.
"Unusual incidents involving patients with ILI warded at intensive care units, including death, are also being monitored," he added.
He also said that so far, there have been no recorded cases linked to those who had travelled to Wuhan.
Dr Hisham noted that China had ruled out influenza, avian flu, adenovirus, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), and that the source of infection was still being investigated.
"The World Health Organisation has informed that the situation was being closely monitored, but it has not issued any trade and travel advisory to China," he said.
As on Jan 5, some 59 cases linked to pneumonia of unknown origin had been identified in Wuhan, of which seven were reportedly in serious condition.
"WHO has informed that so far, there is no human-to-human transmission," he said, adding 121 people who had come into close contact with the affected patients were put under surveillance.
Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said surveillance for influenza-like illness (ILI) and severe acute respiratory infection had been intensified at all sentinel locations to prevent an outbreak in Malaysia.
"We are emphasising on stepping up screening activities to check travellers with fever and suspected symptoms," he said in a statement on Monday (Jan 6).
"Screening activities have also been strengthened at government clinics and hospital emergency departments to ensure suspected cases are handled in accordance with preventive and infection control procedures," he added.
Dr Noor Hisham said the state and district health offices as well as the Health Ministry's crisis preparedness and response centre (CPRC) should be immediately notified of suspected cases.
He said health facilities should be fully equipped with personal protective equipment for all healthcare personnel involved, apart from ensuring sufficient stockpile of medication.
"Unusual incidents involving patients with ILI warded at intensive care units, including death, are also being monitored," he added.
He also said that so far, there have been no recorded cases linked to those who had travelled to Wuhan.
Dr Hisham noted that China had ruled out influenza, avian flu, adenovirus, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), and that the source of infection was still being investigated.
"The World Health Organisation has informed that the situation was being closely monitored, but it has not issued any trade and travel advisory to China," he said.
As on Jan 5, some 59 cases linked to pneumonia of unknown origin had been identified in Wuhan, of which seven were reportedly in serious condition.
"WHO has informed that so far, there is no human-to-human transmission," he said, adding 121 people who had come into close contact with the affected patients were put under surveillance.
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