Is Malaysia Safe from the Ebola Virus?

Is Malaysia Safe from the Ebola Virus? This is now a common question that has been asked by not only Malaysians but many foreigners that plan to visit Malaysia.

Since the outbreak of the deadly Ebola Virus in Africa in February 2014, many were clueless about the effect of the virus and carried on normally with life as normal.

Since July 2014, the outbreak of the virus had caused a worldwide stir as a record number of deaths has shocked the world.

The international media went all frenzy covering this epidemic and many countries put on alert about the Ebola virus.

Does Malaysia Have The Ebola Virus? 

With all that is going on around the world now, Malaysia is safe from the Ebola Virus with no cases reported whatsoever.

The country is on full alert about this and all ports of entries have been on stand by with monitoring of everyone coming into Malaysia.

Below is also a compilation on news reports about the Ebola Virus in Malaysia from various publications;

Latest News 16 Sept 2014:

No Ebola virus case in Malaysia, says Health DG

Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah today confirmed that there is no Ebola virus case in Malaysia.  

However, he gave his assurance that the Health Department will monitor closely for the virus and that the people need not panic following the report that a foreign student at a private institution of higher learning is being quarantined at the Sarawak General Hospital (HUS). 

Noor Hisham said the student from Zimbabwe was already in Malaysia since February and was quarantined for fever, sore throat and cough since Sept 13. "This is a standard operating procedure where hospital staff are taking precautions. 

"The student has no history of international travel records or came into contact with an Ebola patient in the past 21 days before showing the symptoms," he said today.... - Read more from The Sun Daily. 

No cases of Ebola reported in Malaysia 

Health director-general Datuk Dr. Noor Hisham Abdullah today confirmed that there is no Ebola virus case in Malaysia. 

However, he gave his assurance that the Health Department will monitor closely for the virus and that the people need not panic following the report that a foreign student at a private institution of higher learning is being quarantined at the Sarawak General Hospital (HUS). 

Noor Hisham said the student from Zimbabwe was already in Malaysia since February and was quarantined for fever, sore throat and cough since Sept 13. "This is a standard operating procedure where hospital staff is taking precautions.

"The student has no history of international travel records or came into contact with an Ebola patient in the past 21 days before showing the symptoms," he said today.

Health D-G: Report that the Ebola case detected in Malaysia is false

Aug 13 - A report being circulated in social websites, including Facebook, that an Ebola case has been detected in the country is false.

Confirming this late Tuesday, Health director-general Datuk Dr. Noor Hisham Abdullah censured those spreading such rumors as irresponsible, saying there had been no quarantine cases related to the disease.

"The risk of Ebola into Malaysia is very low. Don't spread the news that is false," he said through Twitter. Read more from The Star. 

Ministry to lodge report over Ebola hoax on Facebook in Malaysia

13 Aug, 07:56pm - The Health minister also said he will lodge a report to the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, MCMC over the picture of a Malaysian girl said to be infected by the Ebola virus, which has been making its rounds on social media. 

All Hospitals And Clinics In Malaysia Have Been Placed On High Alert for The Ebola Virus Disease (EVD)

All public and private hospitals and clinics nationwide have been put on high alert for Ebola, one of the world's most virulent diseases.

Doctors who come across Ebola cases or its symptoms – vomiting, diarrhea, high fever, liver, and kidney failure – must notify the National Crisis Preparedness and Response Centre (CPRC). Read more from The Sun Daily.

Ebola Virus Information; 

• The Ebola Virus Disease is a severe illness with a 90% fatality rate
• It is transmitted via body fluids
• There is currently no cure for this deadly virus
• The Ebola Outbreak was first reported in Guinea, Africa in February 2014
• It then spread to Sierra Leone and Liberia where up to 1,711 cases have been reported as of August 6th, 2014 
• The Ebola Outbreak in West Africa caused a worldwide stir on 25 July after an American man with the symptoms traveled on two flights and he died five days later
• Malaysia has yet to receive an EVD notification, but the Health Ministry is constantly monitoring for possible Ebola Cases entering Malaysia
• Malaysia has a system for information exchange between the country's major airports, ports, hospitals, and laboratories in the event of a public health emergency for the Ebola Virus

Malaysia still safe from deadly Ebola outbreak

Experts at the Malaysian Medical Authority have stated that Malaysia is still safe from the recent Ebola Virus Disease outbreak in Western Africa, which has killed 729 people.

Dr. H. Krishna Kumar, President of the MMA, stated that the fastest way for the disease to spread was through international flights.

“As there are no direct flights between Malaysia and the affected states, we are indirectly safe.” 

He added that Malaysian flights flew from several international hubs across the world meaning that the risk is still present, while noting that flights from developed nations with more stringent health facilities were likely to be significantly safer than their counterparts in less developed countries.

The disease can spread from person to person via direct contact with blood or bodily fluids from an infected person or by contact with contaminated medical equipment.

The disease typically begins displaying basic symptoms between 2 to 21 days, which can include:

• Fever
• Throat and muscle pains
• Headaches

Later symptoms that are often followed by death in up to 90% of cases include

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Liver and kidney failure
• Internal and external bleeding

Malaysia safe from Ebola - Malaysia Medical Association (MMA)

Ebola screening is done at the airports.

Malaysia is still safe from the deadly Ebola virus as there are no direct flights between Malaysia and the affected countries, said Malaysian Medical Association president Dr. H. Krishna Kumar.

The current 2014 West Africa Ebola outbreak, which started in March, is considered one of the most severe, affecting Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia.

So far, 729 individuals or 55% of those infected have died from the disease. “The fastest way that infectious diseases spread is when people fly. As there are no direct flights between Malaysia and the affected states, we are indirectly safe.

“The countries with direct flights to West Africa need to be extra careful as anyone coming from an area of infectious disease can be affected,” said Dr. Krishna. Malaysia’s Disease Control Division of the Health Ministry also issued a travel advisory on April 23, urging Malaysians in EVD affected countries to exercise caution while traveling. Read more from The Star.

Ebola alert: Epidemic precautions

Suspected cases have already popped up in Thailand, the Philippines, Hong Kong, the United Kingdom, the United States, Morocco, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, and Nigeria, thanks to air travel between West Africa and those countries.

Fortunately, all these cases have tested negative for Ebola so far, with the exception of a Liberian national who died in Lagos, Nigeria, after traveling there from his home country.

The bad news, however, according to International SOS Regional Medical Director for Corporate Solutions (Asia) Dr. Greg Jakubowski, is that international travel is an unavoidable part of our globalized world.

The Malaysian Government has already initiated screening and preventive measures at entry points to the country, like airports and ports. Read more from The Star. 

The Ebola case numbers in 2014.

Malaysians who are planning to travel to West Africa have been advised to take precautionary measures against the Ebola virus (EVD).

Health director-general Datuk Dr. Noor Hisham Abdullah said EVD was a deadly disease with a high fatality rate.

Early signs of the EVD are fever, muscle aches, headache, sore throat, lack of energy and weakness, vomiting and diarrhea, rashes, kidney as well as liver failure.

"There were also cases of hemorrhage. The disease can lead to death," he said in a statement on Thursday.

He also advised the public to practice good hygiene such as washing their hands with soap and water or using hand sanitizer.

"Avoid going near people who are sick including having contact with bodily fluids of individuals infected with EVD, and houses or health facilities connected to the Ebola outbreak.

"Avoid handling wild animals that are sick or have died, and return home quickly after visiting the affected countries.

They must seek treatment immediately if they don't feel well and to inform the attending doctor of their travel history," Dr. Noor said. Read more from The Star.

Malaysia must do more to prevent Ebola epidemic

Dr. S Subramaniam from the Malaysia Health Ministry

According to the Health Minister, Dr. S Subramaniam, the government has strengthened its preparedness and response activities at all entry points of the country.

The Institute for Medical Research (IMR) has a laboratory is equipped with the necessary equipment to detect the EVD virus while all government hospitals in the country have the facilities to quarantine and treat Ebola patients.

The Crisis Relief Squad of MCA (CRSM) feels that more can be done with regards to this matter and that the seriousness of the matter needs to be readdressed.

CRSM also wishes to suggest that the Health Ministry needs to step up measures and to spell out detailed prevention and containment plans in case an outbreak were to happen here.

The ministry could increase its cooperation with the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) and airport authorities in KLIA, KLIA2, Penang International Airport, and domestic airports to start distributing individual health advisory notices to passengers traveling from the affected areas at all international and domestic airports.

In addition, health advisory posters should also be displayed clearly at all entry points to the country including seaports and land borders. Read more from Malaysia Kini.

Final Thoughts About Malaysia Being Safe From The Ebola Virus

To conclude, those traveling to Malaysia need not worry about the Ebola Virus as the country is clear from any cases.

We have our health ministries on full alert and also all entry points on standby to screen everyone coming into Malaysia.

This has been a compilation of news articles just for those asking Is Malaysia Safe from the Ebola Virus?