Zika Virus found here in 1969?

By Olivia Miwil

olivia@nst.com.myPictures by organiser

Chua, an expert on mosquitoes, referred a report published by the CDC on “Emerging Infectious Diseases” Volume 21 – Number 5, May 2015.

KOTA KINABALU: More studies should be conducted to ascertain the status of the Zika virus which closely resembles the dengue fever in Sabah.

According to a report in the US based Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) a woman from Germany had possibly contracted the disease in Keningau sometime in 2014.

This was revealed by Universiti Malaysia Sabah Entomologist Associate Professor Dr Chua Tock Hing in a talk organised by Jesselton Medical Centre to increase awareness among the public on tackling the rise of dengue cases.

Chua opined however despite the finding, the prevalence of dengue was still the main concern in Sabah. 

“The dengue and Zika viruses are carried by same mosquito which is known as the Aedes aegypti. Here dengue is more commonly found,” he said but pointed out there was need for more studies to be made on the Zika virus. 

CDC is a public health institute of the United States which aims to protect public health and safety through control and prevention of disease, injury and disabilities.

According to the report, the 45-year-old woman from Heidelberg, Germany, fell ill six days after her return from three week vacation in Malaysia in August 2014.

The woman developed high fever, rashes appeared, hearing difficulties, swelling and burning sensation on her hands after her visit but recovered after three days of treatment.

The document also cited a study by Marchette NJ, Garcia R and Rudrick A on Isolation of Zika virus from Aedes aegypti mosquitoes in Malaysia had shown antibodies against Zika virus were detected in 15 out of 79 people in peninsular Malaysia and 9 out of 50 in Sabah in 1969.

The World Health Organisation recently issued advisory for pregnant ladies against travelling to countries with Zika viruscases to prevent birth defects to newborns.

Meanwhile, Infectious Diseases specialist Dr Timothy William advised public to seek immediate medical attention to prevent complications due to dengue fever.

"By getting hospitalised, especially during critical phase of the disease, patients can be closely monitored by health personnel.

"Statistically, 2 in 1,000 patients died from complications such as organ failure and shock (profuse internal bleeding)," he said.