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Health Ministry confirms Malaysia’s first case of Zika virus

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Earlier today, the Malaysian Minister of Health confirmed in a press conference the first case of Zika infection in Malaysia, as reported by Channel News Asia. The patient is a woman who lives in Klang and recently travelled to Singapore with her husband to visit her daughter, who is also infected with the virus.

In his statement, YB Datuk Seri Dr. S. Subramaniam also stated that the woman was probably infected while she was in Singapore as she started exhibiting symptoms about the same time as her daughter. As a precaution, the Ministry of Health has ordered measures to destroy Aedes mosquito breeding sites, with fogging and larvaciding in places the woman visited around the Klang Valley after her return.

This is the first confirmed case of the Zika virus in Malaysia, while Singapore has a total of 115 so far. The virus, which is spreading rapidly across the globe, is borne by the same mosquitoes that carry dengue and chikungya viruses. The best thing everyone can do right now is to be proactive about keeping mosquitoes at bay. Clean out stagnant water regularly, use mosquito repellent and netting, and install screens on doors and windows.

You should also keep an eye out for symptoms of the virus and make sure to visit a doctor if you think you might be infected. Many people who are infected with the virus may only have mild symptoms, or none at all. The symptoms may even be so mild that many don’t think it warrants a visit to a doctor.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the most common symptoms of Zika are similar to that of dengue; fever, rash, joint pain, conjunctivitis. Also look out for muscle pain and headaches. If you think you might be infected, be sure to visit a doctor for a test to rule out both dengue and Zika.

There is currently no specific treatment of vaccine for the Zika virus, so the best you can do is to stay hydrated and refer to your doctor so they can treat the symptoms.





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