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KOTA KINABALU: The Zika virus can be transmitted through sexual intercourse from a patient to his or her partner even though neither is symptomatic, said public health medicine consultant of the Kota Kinabalu Health Office, Dr Jiloris Dony.

There are no serious signs to show if someone is infected except for some mild fever.

“So this is our concern now because a female patient may risk conceiving a mentally retarded baby or a baby with an abnormally small head,” said Dr Jiloris.

He was speaking at a press conference during a break from a public health forum on the Zika virus at the Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences yesterday.

“However, the virus that can cause abnormality to babies has not been detected in Sabah yet because the strain found here is Micronesia unlike in Brazil which is the French Polynesia,” he said.

According to research, the virus can stay in the body for up to eight months and it takes about three days to one week for the body to react after being bitten by the mosquito.

“Actually some 80 per cent of people who are infected by the virus do not have any symptoms and this is our challenge. It is a public health concern because we cannot detect the virus during a check-up,” said Dr Jiloris who also presented a talk on ‘How to Protect Yourself from Zika Infection’ at the forum.

“So in this case, prevention is better than cure. Make sure all mosquito breeding grounds for the female Aedes are destroyed in your house compound,” he said.

by PAUL MU.

Read more @ http://www.newsabahtimes.com.my/nstweb/fullstory/9681

Dr Jiloris (centre) speaking to reporters while Dr Ahmad (left) and Dr Chua (right) look on

KOTA KINABALU: Zika is not something to be taken lightly; if left neglected it can affect the family institution, thecommunity and the healthcare.

Zika virus usually has milder symptom, commonly short-lasting, no associated fatalities and a low hospitalisation rate as compared to other mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue, said Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) vice chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Mohd Harun Abdullah.

“But studies have found that there is a strong association between Zika virus infection and microcephaly or babies born with an abnormally small head,” he disclosed during the public health forum on Zika virus at the UMS’ faculty of medicine & health sciences (FMHS) on Tuesday.

As there is no known cure or vaccination available yet, he said integrated vector management aiming to reduce mosquito vector density in a sustainable manner is being actively undertaken by the Health Department.

Dr Harun said: “In areas where the Aedes mosquito is active like here in Kota Kinabalu, we must heed the Ministry of Health’s (MoH) advice on preventive measures.”

“These advices include removal of all open containers with stagnant water in and surrounding houses on a regular basis, or if that is not possible, treatment with larvicides, tight coverage of water containers, barrels, wells and water storage tanks,” he said in his speech read by deputy dean academic & students’ affairs of FMHS Dr Ahmad Faris Abdullah.

“Also the wide use of physical barriers that reduce the risk of exposure to mosquito bites such as mosquito nets, window/door screens and air conditioning,” said Dr Harun.

Meanwhile, he said up to September 14, the report from the MoH indicated there are six confirmed cases of Zika virus infection all over Malaysia, one of which was reported at Taman Public Jaya in Likas here three weeks ago.

“The MoH also found that there were a further 79 cases which showed signs and symptoms of Zika virus infection, although fortunately all cases tested negative,” he revealed.

Based on the research carried out by virologists in Institute of Medical Research (IMR), he said the lineage of Zika virus case in Sabah is different than the first case reported in Johor where our case was caused by the locally-transmitted Asian lineage of Zika virus (Micronesia) rather than the South American lineage (French Polynesia).

A tourist from Germany was also reported to have Zika virus infection two years ago, who was believed to be infected in Sabah, he recalled.

He said the forum can be an avenue to explore certain epidemiological questions and uncertainties such as whether the patient acquired Zika virus locally or from Peninsula, which strain was responsible, is it an indigenous strain or new strain, and if present, from where are these strains endemic in Sabah.

Dr Harun hoped the forum will also provide an updates regarding Zika virus situation in Sabah especially Kota Kinabalu.

“It is also anticipated the forum will help to increase awareness of the public regarding the public health risks of Zika virus and become a foundation of collaboration between our university and Sabah Health Department in conducting comprehensive public health research to benefit the community,” he added.

The topics discussed during the forum were “What Can Zika Virus Do To You?” by Jesselton Medical Centre infectious disease consultant Dr Timothy William; “How to Protect Yourself from Zika Infection?” by Kota Kinabalu Health Office (public health medicine consultant) Dr Jiloris Dony and “Zika Genome Provides Interesting Insights” by FMHSmolecular epidemiologist Prof Dr Kamruddin Ahmed as well as “Forum – Zika Virus in Kota Kinabalu” moderated by FMHS (public health medicine consultant) Datuk Dr Mohd Yusof Ibrahim.

by PAUL MU.

Read more @ http://www.newsabahtimes.com.my/nstweb/fullstory/9683

A rethink of our development paradigm is in order as problems like Zika and floods rise.

SEVERAL issues and events have emerged in the last few weeks that raise alarms on the need to shift poli­cies so that health and the environment get their places at the top of our development priorities.

The predominant development model places emphasis on economic and commercial activities, whilst treating health and environmental problems as side effects that can be dealt with, piecemeal, when they arise.

This should not be the case. These “side effects” are going to overwhelm the “mainstream” objective of economic growth if we do not take them more seriously.

The latest health scare is the Zika virus. It has caused great anxiety be­­cause it can cause microcephaly, which affects the growth of a baby’s brain. Not so well known is that Zika can also cause Guillain-Barre syndrome, a rare condition in which a person’s immune system attacks their peripheral nerves and can even result in paralysis.

Singapore has become Asia’s biggest victim of the Zika outbreak, and it is going all out to check it. Thailand also has a significant number of cases. It is a matter of time before Malaysia, sharing many conditions with our neighbours, also experien­ces a Zika outbreak. The first cases have been reported, including a pregnant woman in Johor.

On one hand, there is no need for panic. On the other hand, a major campaign to eradicate the Aedes mosquitoes and to minimise mosquito bites has to be implemented.

We have not done well in controlling dengue, spread by the same mosquito. The number of dengue cases in Malaysia went down from 49,335 in 2008 to 19,884 (36 deaths) in 2011, then shot up to 120,836 (336 deaths) in 2015. In the first half of 2016, there were 57,782 cases.

The dengue situation looks intractable so far, and that implies it will be difficult as well to contain Zika. So, more effort and resources have to be put to drastically reduce the mosquito population, and everyone should do their part.

Another emerging health problem is antibiotic resistance. Drug-resistant bacterial infections killed 19,122 people in Thailand in 2010, according to a study published last week. That is an alarming incidence of deaths, as the United States (with a much higher population than Thailand) is estimated to have 23,000 such deaths a year.

Problems linked to the environment are also cropping up. The annual “haze” started again a few weeks ago, with a few towns registering serious air pollution. Fortu­nately the hazy situation abated, perhaps due to rain.

by MARTIN KHOR.

Read more @ http://www.thestar.com.my/opinion/columnists/global-trends/2016/09/12/prioritise-health-and-nature-a-rethink-of-our-development-paradigm-is-in-order-as-problems-like-zika/

WHEN we talk about food, we cannot leave out the issue of hygiene. Poor food handling standards can spell trouble.

Just last week, two incidents of food poisoning were widely reported in many dailies.

On Aug 24, 12 students from Sekolah Sukan Malaysia Terengg-anu’s hostel were taken ill after eating an ayam masak merah dish. The next day, 70 students from Sekolah Menengah Poh Lam’s hostel in Perak were down with food poisoning after eating an egg curry dish for lunch.

According to a statement issued by the Health Ministry’s director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah, the government was aware of these incidents and was taking steps to ensure they do not happen again.

Investigations by the ministry showed that salmonella was the culprit in both the Terengganu and Perak school cases.

Both canteens have since been closed. The ministry has also undertaken various measures such as increasing inspections of school canteens and kitchens throughout the country.

From 2015 to June 2016, its officials inspected 24,280 canteens and 6,034 hostel kitchens. Of these, 261 (0.9%) operators were ordered to close for failing hygiene standards.

To eliminate the incidence of food poisoning, the ministry is now working together with the Education Ministry to review the contracts for canteen operators and improve hygiene guidelines.

Read more @ http://www.thestar.com.my/news/education/2016/09/04/need-to-improve-hygiene-standards/

KOTA KINABALU: The public is advised to clean their surroundings regularly to curb the breeding of Aedes mosquito. State Health director, Dr Christina Rundi said that this is imperative as apart from spreading Dengue, Aedes also carries the Zika virus.

She also urged the people to protect themselves from being bitten by mosquitos, such as using repellent, wearing clothes that are covering most of the skin surface, and wearing light coloured clothing.

When contacted yesterday, Dr Christina said that this advice is in line with the recommendation given by the Health Ministry in light of Zika outbreak in Singapore recently and a confirmed Zika case in Malaysia.

Nevertheless, she also said that preventive measures are in place at the state’s entry points, and the ongoing operations to rid the Aedes breeding sites are being intensified.

Meanwhile, infectious diseases specialist, Dr Timothy William said that Sabah is at high risk of having Zika cases given the vector in the state.

by ERIC BAGANG.

Read more @ http://www.newsabahtimes.com.my/nstweb/fullstory/9224

KOTA KINABALU: The public is advised to clean their surroundings regularly to curb the breeding of Aedes mosquito. State Health director, Dr Christina Rundi said that this is imperative as apart from spreading Dengue, Aedes also carries the Zika virus.

She also urged the people to protect themselves from being bitten by mosquitos, such as using repellent, wearing clothes that are covering most of the skin surface, and wearing light coloured clothing.

When contacted yesterday, Dr Christina said that this advice is in line with the recommendation given by the Health Ministry in light of Zika outbreak in Singapore recently and a confirmed Zika case in Malaysia.

Nevertheless, she also said that preventive measures are in place at the state’s entry points, and the ongoing operations to rid the Aedes breeding sites are being intensified.

Meanwhile, infectious diseases specialist, Dr Timothy William said that Sabah is at high risk of having Zika cases given the vector in the state.

by ERIC BAGANG.

Read more @ http://www.newsabahtimes.com.my/nstweb/fullstory/9224

KUALA LUMPUR: It’s the norm for the young and old in Japan to go for a yearly medical check-up whether in school or at a community or government facility, said a Japanese non-governmental organisation.

“Even for women who don’t work, they are provided with basic services by the local government,” said Sumie Ishii, chairperson of the Japanese Orga­nisation for Interna­tional Coope­­ration in Family Planning.

“They receive information at health centres or they will be assigned nearby doctors, either in a public or private health facility, based on a universal health coverage.

“Its insurance policy will be used for aged care once they retire at 65. For those who do not have enough funds, the social security will pay for their health needs,” she said during a conference on population ageing in selected Asian countries organised by the International Planned Parenthood Federation here yesterday.

Ishii also noted that some companies in Japan will compel their employees to improve their health if they are found to be obese or suffering from unhealthy habits.

For instance, if the younger generation is found to be obese, the companies will work out a strict regimen for them, she said.

Health concerns: Chew Mei Fun (third from right) gesturing as she speaks to conference participants in Kuala Lumpur. Among the attendees are IPPF-ESEOR regional director Nora Murat (right) and National Population and Family Development Board Malaysia director general Datuk Dr Siti Norlasiah Ismail (sixth from right).

“They will refer the employees to nutritionists, physical therapists or doctors who will customise a weight-loss programme for them.

“This is because employers are worried that when workers become sick, it will be more expensive to treat,” she added.

Deputy Women, Family and Com­­munity Development Minister Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun said the corporate sector, non-governmental organisations and local community associations should set up day centres at strategic places for older persons to support them and their families.

Read more @ http://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2016/08/30/yearly-medical-checkups-the-norm-in-japan/