Foreign workers need to undergo health screening to prevent urban malaria, says Health DG

JOHOR BARU: Employers are urged to ensure that their own foreign workers go through a health screening to prevent the transmission of urban malaria as happened in Penang, said Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah ( pic ).

He said the problem is still under control and thus far, there have been no reported deaths within the state due to the illness.

“We need to make sure these workers undergo a wellness screening before starting function.

“Most from the malaria cases were brought in from Africa, so health screening process is very important so that we can identify it through an early stage, ” he told reporters after the launching of the Johor-level Healthy Malaysia National Agenda (ANMS) tour in Bandar Dato’ Onn here Friday (Aug 12).

The event was launched by Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin.

Asked on the newly identified Langya pathogen in China with dozens of cases documented so far, Dr Noor Hisham said the ministry is now closely monitoring the development of the situation. – Bernama