KUALA LUMPUR: Fifteen Malaysian pilgrims were declared free of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) after health checks showed they did not have any signs or symptoms of the disease.
The pilgrims had returned to Malaysia from the Holy land with a man who died of the virus.
“There are no other cases. All those examined tested negative,” Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S Subramaniam told reporters after launching community health programme MySihat India 1Malaysia 2014 here, yesterday.
The 54-year-old man from Batu Pahat, Johor, who returned from the Holy Land on March 29, complained of fever, cough and breathing difficulties for 10 days and was admitted to the Sultanah Nora Ismail Hospital on April 10. He died three days later.
However, Subramaniam said the ministry would continue to closely monitor the 15 umrah (minor haj) pilgrims for at least another two weeks.
On the programme yesterday, Subramaniam said there was a greater need to increase awareness of a healthy lifestyle among the Indian community in the country.
Meanwhile, Director-General of Health Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said there were no new MERS-CoV cluster cases and infections reported with the number of death from the virus remained at one.
“There were no positive MERS-CoV infections among 31 samples taken from those in close contacts with the victim,” he said in a statement.
He said 197 people were found to have close contacts with the victim, namely family members in the same household, relatives, passengers (including those from umrah package groups), friends and medical personnel who handle the case.
“Everyone of them have been advised to monitor their health condition for 14 days, after which they will no longer be quarantined,” he said, adding that those who showed symptoms such as fever, cough and breathing difficulty should seek treatment at a clinic or a hospital.
Dr Noor Hisham advised those whishing to go to West Asian countries to maintain high levels of hygiene such as washing hands frequently, especially after coughing, sneezing and shaking hands.
“They should cover their face and nose and avoid visiting sick patients and animal farms or touch any animals,” he said while urging tour and travel agencies to raise awareness on MERS-CoV among their customers.
Information on MERS-CoV can be gleaned from the Health Ministry website at www.moh.gov.my. — Bernama