Expert: M’sia shows progress in handling virus outbreak

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has been more prepared and proactive and has also acted faster in containing the novel coronavirus compared to previous times when faced with dangerous infections such as the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), the Nipah virus and Ebola.

Infectious disease specialist Datuk Dr Christopher KC Lee said Malaysia’s experience in containing past infectious diseases had made it better prepared in dealing with such situations, and this included having more thermal scanners at all entry points, as well as its actions in isolating coronavirus cases and placing suspected patients under quarantine.

He said such swift measures were important in reducing potential local transmission of the virus.

“Compared to SARS in 2002, when we took weeks to trace the infection. We are now in a containment phase, to prevent any local transmission. The seven cases detected so far were not contracted in Malaysia but overseas, and imported into the country. It is important that we prevent the infection from spreading within the country, ” he said.

Dr Lee said apart from thermal scanners, the dissemination of information to every tourist entering Malaysia, particularly those from infected areas, was also important.

“The tourists need to be given information about the virus and actions to be taken such as seeking treatment at specific hospitals if they do not feel well.

“This is important because when they enter Malaysia, they may not have had a fever or other symptoms but fall ill several days later, ” he said.

Dr Lee who is experienced in handling SARS, Nipah virus and Ebola cases, noted that this time around, the outbreak of the virus in affected areas such as Wuhan had occurred at a faster rate compared to other infectious diseases and the world still had insufficient data on the new virus.

The spread of the virus had been exacerbated by the increased movement of people within and out of China in conjunction with the Chinese New Year celebration.

“It makes things a bit complicated, ” he said.

Asked about claims that the coronavirus could be spread through its presence on the surface of goods imported from China, Dr Lee said the possibility of such an occurrence was low because many viruses could only last within a particular environment for a period ranging from a few hours to a few days, and this would be dependent on the context.

“Although we do not have enough information on the virus, we believe it is like SARS and influenza which won’t last long in the environment.” — Bernama