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KUALA LUMPUR – Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin has revealed more details on the 45-year-old Malaysian living in Singapore who was the island republic’s first case of monkeypox infection.
Speaking during a press conference today, Khairy said that the man was in Johor Baru on June 11 and 12 before vacationing in Penang with family and friends between June 17 to 20 and had not exhibited any symptoms during these two trips.
However, he said, the man had started displaying symptoms following a separate visit to Johor Baru on July 2 and 3.
“It is still unclear when or where the man was infected,” he said, adding that the ministry has identified 14 of the individual’s casual contacts, with one close contact currently being quarantined in Singapore.
It was previously reported that the man had tested positive for the rare virus on July 6 and is currently warded at the National Centre for Infectious Diseases in Singapore.
In other news, Khairy warned that under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 (Act 342), the ministry still has the power to issue compound notices to those who flout standard operating procedures (SOPs) regarding the wearing of face masks in indoor premises.
Noting that while the ministry would prefer to not “move backwards” by issuing fines, he urged the public to keep their masks on except when eating, speaking, or taking pictures in enclosed areas.
“Enforcement resources are also limited now since other agencies, such as police, no longer have the ability to compound people under the act,” he said.
“It is hoped that things will not reach a stage where fines have to be issued. Please adhere to rules that have been set.”
He also reminded the public to remain vigilant and practice public safety measures as the country faces a wave of the highly infectious Covid-19 Omicron sub-variant BA.5.
“The BA.5 sub-variant is not only easily spread, it also has an immune escape property that enables it to re-infect those who had previously been infected with the Omicron variant,” he said.
Besides reiterating his calls for senior citizens and those with comorbidities to obtain their second booster shot, he said that adults who have not yet received their first booster dose should immediately do so.
“Booster shots are not compulsory but they are highly encouraged, especially as we battle with a new wave and increased movement of people due to Hari Raya Haji festivities,” he said.
Addressing the alleged shortage of medical officers in the Tunku Azizah Hospital, he said that 91 medical personnel have been approved to transfer to the hospital to replace the 86 junior doctors who will be leaving on July 18.
Previously, the Hartal Doktor Kontrak movement had slammed the ministry for its apparent denial over the issue of staff shortage at the hospital, claiming that the number of medical officers transferred out do not align with the number of those sent to fill the empty spots. – The Vibes, July 8, 2022
