Malaysia has always been on high alert for major infectious disease outbreaks - Health Minister

SEPANG, Jan 27 -- Malaysia has always been on high alert for major infectious disease outbreaks and is ready to respond to any public health emergency, said Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.

He said the health authorities had learnt a lot from past outbreaks like the Zika and Nipah viruses as well as Polio in managing any situation.

Hence, he said, it came as no surprise when Malaysia was ranked 18th  by the Global Health Security (GHS) Index 2019 out of the 195 countries evaluated on their preparedness towards facing increasing risks of high-consequences and globally catastrophic biological events . 

“We want to be better and in the top 10. We (Malaysia) have the experience and history in facing virus outbreaks,” Dr Dzulkefly told reporters after making a working visit to Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) and Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 (klia2) here today.

The visit was to check on screening of incoming travellers in the wake of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan, China that is spreading throughout Asia and the rest of the world. 

In that index, Singapore was ranked 24th while Indonesia 30th. Thailand is ahead of Malaysia at sixth place.

The Global Health Security Index 2019 lists countries in three categories - most prepared, more prepared and least prepared. Malaysia is placed in the second category while 13 countries were in the first category.

Dr Dzulkefly also said the Health Ministry will station 12 more thermal scanners at the country's entry points as soon as possible.

This is in addition to the 54 thermal scanners already in place (at entry points). Thirty-three of them are in the peninsula and 21 in Sabah and Sarawak.

He also reminded tour agents to provide briefings on the coronavirus  to their tour groups.

“Tour agents must advise their customers to get treatment at the nearest Health Ministry facility if they show symptoms of fever, cough and difficulty in breathing,” he said.

Dubbed the Wuhan virus, the media reported that as of Sunday, the outbreak has claimed 80 lives and that more than 2,700 cases have been confirmed in mainland China.

— BERNAMA