MUAR: Health Minister Datuk Liow Tiong Lai has told state health directors to monitor the current outbreak of chikungunya here closely and find ways to curb its spread.

He said to date, 443 patients were confirmed as chikungunya victims, with no fatalities.

"In Johor, the disease is under control," he said after meeting Bakri, Muar, Pagoh and Ledang MCA division leaders here yesterday.

Chikungunya is a non-lethal viral fever with symptoms similar to that of dengue.

Liow said there was also a rise in dengue fever cases.
To date, 25,000 patients had received treatment in government hospitals and clinics, with 56 deaths.

He said state health departments had carried out precautionary measures, including house-to-house checks to ensure they were free of open water containers which could become breeding grounds for Aedes mosquitoes .

Liow advised the public to seek immediate medical assistance if they experienced fever or pain in their joints.