GEORGE TOWN, May 11 — The state government has stepped up monitoring at all international entry points in Penang, following the spread of hantavirus in several European countries.
State Youth, Sports, and Health Committee chairman Daniel Gooi Zi Sen said the measure aligns with the Health Ministry's (MOH) policy to ensure early containment of any infectious disease outbreak risk.
"Although the current risk of hantavirus transmission in Malaysia is low, we are still taking precautionary measures, including tightening monitoring at international entry points and increasing laboratory capacity to assist with detection.
"The Ministry of Health has also informed that only certain strains of the virus show potential for human-to-human transmission, as it is a zoonotic virus," he told the media at the Penang State Legislative Assembly building today.
Gooi added that health protocols at airports and ports have long been in place, including the use of infrared cameras to detect individuals with symptoms such as fever.
Every major international entry point, including the cruise ship terminal, has permanent health officers stationed to conduct monitoring and related inspections.
Based on the MOH's data, he said that 22,367 ships and boats were inspected at international entry points nationwide between January 1 and May 2 this year.
Over the same period, 2,421 pratique certificates and 1,146 Ship Sanitation Certificates were issued to ensure that vessels entering the country comply with public health, sanitation, and infestation control requirements under the International Health Regulations.
On Wednesday (May 6), Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said Malaysia is fully prepared to face the threat of hantavirus infection, although no cases involving Malaysians have been reported to date.
International media have reported that European countries are tightening monitoring and quarantine measures following a Hantavirus outbreak aboard the Dutch-flagged cruise ship MV Hondius.
