The aedes mosquito has been identified as the carrier of the Zika virus. The Health Ministry has issued guidelines for Malaysians to protect themselves against the infection. – Reuters file pic, February 3, 2016. Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam today issued guidelines for the people to protect themselves against the Zika virus infection, warning that Malaysia offered a conducive environment for the spread of the disease.
The World Health Organisation has declared the Zika virus infection as a public health emergency of international concern. The Zika virus is spread by the aedes mosquito, which also carries the dengue virus.
Dr Subramaniam advised Malaysians, particularly pregnant women, to postpone travel to 24 countries in the Americas where the Zika virus infection had been detected.
These countries are Barbados, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Curacao, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guadaloupe, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Martinique, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Puerto Rico, Saint Martin, Suriname, US Virgin Islands and Venezuela.
The Zika virus infection has been linked to cases of microcephaly, in which babies are born with underdeveloped brains.
According to WHO, there have been around 4,000 reported cases of microcephaly in Brazil alone since October last year. – Bernama, February 3, 2016.
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