Bintulu and Langkawi are now on high alert as its just been reported that a 25-year-old woman from Hubei, China and two sisters, aged 2 and 4, are now being examined for the deadly Wuhan virus.
Just yesterday (26th January), the Bintulu police were alerted by a netizen who took to Facebook to plead with authorities for action to be taken as a case of the mass outbreak had been found in Sarawak, as reported by Sin Chew Daily.
However, in order to avoid jumping to conclusions, authorities verified this information with an emergency rescue unit and discovered that the woman was actually a Chinese national who displayed fever-like symptoms when she sought medical attention at Columbia Hospital, Bintulu.
When she was being examined, the woman admitted that she had visited Wuhan, China approximately two weeks ago.
It was later revealed that the woman had traveled to Wuhan on a business trip on 11th January but stopped by Kota Kinabalu, in Sabah for a connecting flight before returning to Bintulu on 16th January. While she said she continued to proceed with work as usual, the woman soon started showing symptoms of a fever on 26th January.
Upon remembering her visit to the quarantined city, the woman immediately made her way to Columbia Hospital to get medical assistance. But when the hospital staff were aware of the possibility that the woman could be infected with the widespread viral outbreak, they instantly transferred her to Bintulu Hospital for further examination.
As of right now, the suspect in Sawarak is being quarantined in Bintulu Hospital so doctors can observe her over a period of 14 days before confirming her diagnosis. The hospital has also sent a blood sample to Kuala Lumpur to be reviewed.
As for the two young Chinese toddlers, the suspected sister pair have reportedly been in Langkawi since Friday (24th January), following reports from the Star. Datuk Dr Ismail Salleh, the Kedah Health Committee chairman, said they flew from KLIA with their parents but were stopped at Langkawi Airport.
“The temperature screening at the airport showed that the sisters had developed symptoms related to the virus. They are feverish. We are still waiting for test results.”
The chairman went on to say that two hospitals, Langkawi Hospital and Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital in Alor Setar have been designated as treatment centres for those suspected of being infected with the virus.
Meanwhile, authorities have urged the public not to panic as the suspects’ condition has not been confirmed. The current death toll in China for the deadly disease hiked up to 80 this morning with over 2,300 cases confirmed.
Stay away from crowded areas and always wear a mask when you’re using public transport. Be safe, guys!