You may have come across the Zika virus in the papers or heard it in passing during the news. While there are many people who still choose to stay ignorant, it should be well noted that this virus may have affected our country, so now more than ever, Zika is something you NEED to be aware of.
Image source: medicinenet.com
On Thursday, the first case of Zika virus in Malaysia was reported when a 58-year-old woman from Klang and her husband went to visit their daughter in Singapore from August 19 to August 21. The woman started having rashes, hence she visited a general practitioner but was referred to Sungai Buloh Hospital.
After doing some tests in the hospital on August 31, it was found that her urine tested positive for the virus but her blood test came back negative. A second blood test is being done today to ensure that the woman is free of the Zika virus and may be discharged soon, according to The Star. *fingers crossed*
The husband is clear of the virus, however their daughter is a confirmed with a Zika infection but remains in Singapore.
The Ministry of Health Malaysia advises everyone who had visited countries with confirmed cases of the Zika and who are experiencing symptoms to go for medical check ups. Symptoms of the virus includes fever, body aches, rashes, and red eyes.
Image source: independent.co.uk
Our neighbouring country, Singapore has reported a horryfying jump to 151 positive cases of the virus in the city-state. The staggering number of reported cases are causing immense worry to Malaysians as people from the two countries often visit each other.
With the terrifying number of cases reported in Singapore, Malaysia’s Health Ministry revealed it has intensified it’s screening at two main entry points to Johor. Informative fliers about the virus are also distributed at the entry points.
Health director-general Noor Hisham Abdullah said the safety measures are highly necessary and have been in place since February, reported The New Paper.
Image source: tnp.com
The Zika virus is primarily transmitted via the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito that also carries the dengue and chikungunya viruses. As Malaysia is known to be impacted by the Aedes mosquitoes, that means the country is vulnerable to this new disease, thus paramedics are stationed at entry points.
Besides contracting the virus through infected mosquitoes, Zika can also be transmitted through sexual intercourse and can be passed from a pregnant mother to her unborn fetus, causing the unborn child to suffer from severe brain defects (microcephaly). And this scary virus is seriously no joke.
Image source: the Star
Till date, no vaccine or medicine has been found for the virus. Those infected are encouraged get a lot of rest, keep hydrated, and take paracetamol for the fever/pain.
While some mosquitoes can share Zika. You can too. Protect yourself. #DontShareZika
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