PUTRAJAYA: The Health Ministry has allayed fears of a Japanese encephalitis (JE) epidemic in the country, and said the situation was under control.
Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said local JE infection cases were sporadic and not epidemic.
He said, in a statement, that the ministry was keeping a close watch on the situation through the state and district health departments,
Up to July 13 this year, Dr Noor Hisham said a total of 15 JE cases were reported in the country. Three of the patients died — two in Sarawak and one in Perak.
“Twelve other cases were reported in Sabah, in the Menggatal, Ranau, Papar and Tambunan districts.
“For the same period in 2018, only five cases were reported,” he added.
In response to a report by an English daily, Dr Noor Hisham said the latest JE case involved a 20-year-old man who was being treated at Keningau Hospital, Sabah.
He said JE was caused by a flavivirus that could lead to viral encephalitis symptoms.
Most Asian countries, including India, Thailand, the Philippines, Cambodia, Vietnam and Malaysia, are JE endemic countries.
Dr Noor Hisham said the virus was carried by swine and wild birds, and could spread to humans through Culex mosquitoes.
However, he added that it could not be transmitted from one person to another, “JE signs and symptoms are fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, mental state change, neurological symptoms, weakness and disruption of movement,” he said.
“Those who have these symptoms are advised to see a doctor immediately.”