PUTRAJAYA: The standard operating procedures (SOPs), in place to break the transmission chain of Covid-19, have not only managed to contain the outbreak but also helped reduce the number of cases of other communicable diseases in the country.
Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said the number of cases involving other communicable diseases such as measles, chickenpox as well as hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) had plunged by more than 60 per cent since the SOPs of Covid-19 came into force.
"Although the actions taken are meant to prevent the spread of Covid-19, the SOPs has helped to reduce cases of other infectious cases transmitted by touching and others.
"The country recorded a drop of more than 60 per cent of cases involving measles, HFMD and chickenpox throughout the implementation of the Covid-19 SOPs, which amongst others encourage the people to practise utmost hygiene and exercise social distancing.
"If we continue to strengthen border control and roll out preventive measures, I believe we can break the transmission chain of other infectious diseases including the swine flu and H1N1 (Influenza A) in the country," said he said during the Covid-19 press conference here.
Dr Noor Hisham said this in response what measures the ministry would be taking to prevent the new type of swine flu discovered in China from reaching the Malaysian shores.
AFP quoted a study published by United States science journal on Monday, which stated that researchers in China have discovered a new type of swine flu that is capable of triggering a pandemic.
The authors of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America scientific journal named the new type of swine flu as G4.
The new type of the virus, the authors said, is genetically descended from the H1N1 strain that caused a pandemic in 2009.
The Health director-general added: "The Veterinary Services Department will issue a statement related to the (measures to prevent the new type of) swine flu (in the country)."