BY: SYASYA SUFIAN
KLANG, SEP 5: Pregnant women are advised not to visit countries affected by the spread of zika virus such as Singapore, Africa, America and countries in the Pacific region.
Health, Welfare, Women and Family Development Exco Dr Daroyah Alwi said the zika virus poses a threat to the foetus and can affect babies after birth.
“If a pregnant woman is infected with zika virus, it is highly likely the baby will be infected with microcephaly.
“Microcephaly is associated with an abnormal smallness of the brain in babies after birth, as in the many cases in Brazil,” she said after attending the Gotong-Royong K`ebersihan Ad-Hoc programme on September 4.
The public must be alert to symptoms such as fever, skin rashes, joint pains and conjunctivitis which are similar to dengue symptoms and seek immediate check-up.
“We have also instructed local authorities to continue to focus on dengue hotspots to prevent zika virus from spreading,” she said.
