KEMAMAN: The tourism industry, so far, has not been affected by the country’s first confirmed case of the Zika virus, said Deputy Tourism Minister Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin.
She was confident that the increase in health monitoring and screenings carried out by the Health Ministry at all entry points into the country would be able to curb the spread of the virus.
“The overall number of tourist arrivals to the country this year shows an increase. However, due to the Zika issue, the Tourism Ministry will enhance cooperation with the Health Ministry and take precautionary measures to monitor foreign tourists visiting the country.
“We also advise tourists to keep in touch with the Health Ministry and the Tourism Ministry if they notice any of the symptoms associated with the Zika virus for immediate medical treatment,” she told reporters after officiating the Kemaman UMNO Wanita, Puteri and Youth delegates meeting here today.
Present were Kemaman UMNO division deputy chief and Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek, Kemaman UMNO division Wanita chief Datuk Rohani Abdullah, Kemaman UMNO division Youth chief Ahmad Fikry Ibrahim and Kemaman UMNO division Puteri chief Shaheda Jusoh.
Last Thursday the Health Ministry confirmed that a 58-year-old woman from Bandar Botanic, Klang, Selangor was the first known case of Zika virus infection in the country after visiting her daughter in Singapore, who was also confirmed to have contracted the disease.
The woman who visited Singapore for three days beginning Aug 19 experienced a rash and fever. --BERNAMA