PETALING JAYA: Russia has ruled out a plague on its territory after a Siberian plague research laboratory worker died of an unknown pneumonia and her contacts had to be isolated.
That has fuelled global concerns of a Siberian plague but experts say whether there is a plague or not, the risk of transmission is relatively low in Malaysia right now.
Dr Malina Osman of Universiti Putra Malaysia said at this point the case in Siberia appears to be an isolated one.
“While global surveillance related to the issue has been initiated, the risk of transmission of the disease to Malaysia is relatively very low. I believe our international borders are safe under continuous surveillance by our expert team from the Health Ministry,” said the Associate Professor of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the university’s Department of Community Health.
The authorities are going to provide information from time to time so that the public will be alerted in case there is a possibility of an incoming alarming situation, she added.
“At this point, I would assure you that most likely in Siberia it is an isolated case,” she said.
Elaborating further on the incident in Siberia, Dr Malina said the illness stems from the bacteria known as Yersinia pestis, which is transmitted by the bite of a certain mite called Xenopsylla cheopis.
“These mites are living closely or are bound to rodents for their survival. In general, the potential of plague outbreak is monitored by surveillance of the rodents as well as presence of mites on the skin of the rodents.
“Symptoms of plague include sudden onset of high fever, extreme weaknesses, multiple lymph nodes enlargement, severe abdominal symptoms and pneumonia.
“The latest verification from Russian authorities confirmed the cause of death is due to pneumonia, but plague has been ruled out.
“No other plague cases have been detected linked to the index case,” she added.
Meanwhile, public medicine specialist Dr Sharifa Ezat Wan Puteh said the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention already have standard operating procedures in place, which Malaysia can emulate if a case is detected locally.
“According to WHO, the risk of plague infecting the general population remains low as infected people will feel sick very quickly and are not able to travel. However, discerning visitors from plague-infected areas now is important,” she said.
