Health Ministry monitoring suspected Ebola case in Kuching

The Health Ministry today confirmed that a suspected case of the deadly Ebola virus has been reported in Kuching, Sarawak.

Ministry director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah (pic)  said that the situation is being monitored closely although the case has not been confirmed.

"‎The ministry is monitoring the situation and continue our close surveillance and we would like to draw the public attention that no cases of EVD (Ebola Virus Disease) have been confirmed in this country," he told The Malaysian Insider.

A news portal had earlier reported about the case in Kuching. The patient is believed to be a male of African descent.

Noor Hisham had previously addressed the Ebola virus following rumours of an outbreak in Malaysia, which were later confirmed to be false.

"The risk of Ebola into Malaysia is very low," he had said, adding that the country was prepared to face it should an outbreak occur.

Ebola, a haemorrhagic fever, is often fatal to humans and monkeys.

The virus has killed more than 2,400 people, particularly in West African countries, such as Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, since the epidemic began in March.

It was reported that the infection rate and death toll have been especially high among health workers, who were at risk after being exposed to infectious patients who pass on the virus via body fluids.

- TMI