1 August 2014 Press statement by MCA Youth Deputy Secretary General Tee Hooi Ling Preventing Ebola epidemic needs efforts of all I read with alarm the World Health Organisation report that since February this year, an unprecedented outbreak of Ebola in West Africa has killed 729 people out of 1,323 infected resulting with WHO launching a $100-million response plan to combat while Sierra Leone has declared a state of emergency. Although there are no direct flights between Malaysia and the affected countries, unless absolutely necessary or in case of emergency, I urge all Malaysians, expatriates and foreign students in Malaysia to refrain from travelling to West Africa. When in West Africa, travellers must safeguard their health, avoid coming into contact with people showing symptoms of vomiting, diarrhoea, high fever, liver and kidney failure. Closer to home, I urge the Royal Immigration Department to conduct health screening at all of Malaysia’s entry ports be it by land, sea or airports on arrivals, armed forces personnel and cabin crew who had visited countries in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone in the last two weeks. Any arrivals displaying such symptoms should be quarantined before doctors give the all clear. The Immigration Department, Maritime Police and police should also exercise higher vigilance against illegals. I support the control measures announced by the Ministry of Health that medical practitioners at all public and private hospitals and clinics throughout Malaysia must notify the National Crisis Preparedness and Response Centre if they come across patients displaying the above symptoms. Meanwhile, I also call upon the Health Ministry to distribute brochures and posters regarding this highly contagious and deadly disease – its symptoms, how it spreads, taking preventive measures. The travel advisory issued by the Disease Control Division should be inserted in the said publicity materials. Such information should also be published on online news portals besides the mainstream press. As Ebola is transmitted via direct contact with blood, body fluids and tissue of infected animals or people, or through coming into contact with contaminated objects such as soiled clothing, bed linen or used needles, cleanliness of surroundings and personal hygiene must be prioritized at all times. As Ebola has no known specific treatment or cure, everyone must play a concerted role in preventing Ebola. As Malaysia is currently battling a high percentage of dengue cases, we cannot afford more fatalities Tee Hooi Ling MCA Youth Deputy Secretary General //END
Posted on: Fri, 01 Aug 2014 09:28:58 +0000
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