PENDANG: The Health Ministry is beefing up health screening at the border entrance in Johor following reports of a Malaysian infected by the Zika virus in Singapore.
Deputy Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Yahya said similar health screening are also being made at airport terminals in the country which hosts direct flights from Singapore, such as in Penang and Langkawi.
He said that so far, no case of Zika virus have been detected in the country based on tests made on random samples taken by the ministry.
According to Hilmi, more than 700 samples were taken since the spread of the Zika virus last year but none were found positive with Zika.
"The Malaysian who was infected with the virus is staying and working in Singapore. So far we do not have details on the victim," he told newsmen after officiating and closing the Young Doctor Club's Summer Health Camp at Pendang Lake Resort here this morning.
It was reported that a Malaysian is believed to be the first victim to have been infected by locally-transmitted Zika virus in Singapore.
According to Singapore’s Straits Times, the 47-year-old woman was tested positive for the virus even though she had never travelled to Zika-affected areas recently.
The woman, who lives in Aljunied, was tested at the Communication Disease Centre at Tan Tock Seng Hospital after developing Zika-like symptoms three days ago.
Hilmi also advised Malaysians who have travelled to Singapore and who are down with fever to go to the nearest clinic for examination and treatment.