Penang Port Commission strengthens health surveillance at Swettenham Pier after international reports of hantavirus cases on a cruise ship.
GEORGE TOWN: The Penang Port Commission (PPC) has strengthened precautionary and health surveillance measures at the Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal (SPCT) following international reports of a cluster of Hantavirus cases linked to a cruise ship.
PPC chairman Datuk Yeoh Soon Hin said although no Hantavirus infections have been reported in Malaysia so far, the commission is treating the matter seriously to protect passengers, ship crew and the local community by strengthening ship sanitation inspections and rodent‑infestation monitoring within the terminal.
“These measures are being implemented in accordance with the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005) and in close collaboration with the Health Ministry (MOH) and relevant agencies.
“Emphasis is placed on early detection of any health‑risk indicators so that prompt action can be taken and the terminal’s health facilities are on standby to manage any suspected cases,” he said in a statement today.
Yeoh said infectious‑disease surveillance activities have been intensified, including event‑based surveillance, to detect any unusual incidents quickly.
He said cross‑agency cooperation with the Department of Veterinary Services and local authorities has been strengthened to maintain vector control and environmental hygiene.
Meanwhile, he also advised all passengers and crew to adopt preventive measures, including avoiding contact with rodents or their droppings, wearing masks and gloves when cleaning contaminated areas.
He also advised them to seek immediate medical attention if they develop symptoms such as fever, muscle aches, cough or shortness of breath after being in a potentially exposed environment.
Earlier, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said Malaysia is fully prepared to face the threat of Hantavirus infection, although no cases involving Malaysians have been reported to date.
International media have reported that European countries are tightening monitoring and quarantine measures following a Hantavirus outbreak aboard the Dutch-flagged cruise ship MV Hondius.
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