Health authorities closely monitoring JE cases - DG

KUALA LUMPUR, July 17 (Bernama) -- The situation regarding Japanese Encephalitis (JE) cases in Malaysia including in Sabah is being closely monitored by the Health Ministry and state health departments, Health Director-General Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said.

He said between January and July 13 this year, 15 JE cases were reported in Malaysia involving three deaths -- two in Sarawak and one in Perak.

"Of the 15 JE cases reported, four were from Sabah, one each in Manggatal, Ranau, Papar and Tambunan.

"All cases were sporadic and no JE epidemic was reported," he said in a statement here today.

The statement was in response to articles in Free Malaysia Today (FMT) titled “Sabah Minister confirms JE virus found in pig” and The Star Online titled “JE virus detected in pig farm in Tambunan” published yesterday.

"As reported by The Star Online, the latest case in the Tambunan district was reported on July 12 involving a 20-year-old man. He was admitted to Keningau Hospital on July 8 and is still receiving treatment at the hospital's medical ward.

"The JE case reported by FMT involving a seven-year-old from Taman Sentoria, Kota Samarahan, Sarawak had been reported in 2017 and had been confirmed as not a JE case," he said.

According to Dr Noor Hisham, JE is a viral borne illness caused by flavivirus that may result in symptoms of 'viral encephalitis' and is endemic in India, Thailand, the Philippines, Cambodia, Vietnam and Malaysia.

Pigs and wild birds are the natural reservoirs for this virus and can be transmitted to humans through Culex mosquito bites. However, humans are a “dead-end host” where transmission of infection cannot occur from one individual to another, he said.

JE signs and symptoms are fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, changes in mental status, neurological symptoms, weakness and movement disorders.

"Individuals suffering from these symptoms should consult a doctor for immediate treatment. Additionally, self-protection measures such as the use of repellents and wearing bright clothes that cover body parts can reduce the risk of mosquito bites, "he said.

-- BERNAMA