I was rather down when I read the statement from our immigration Department which stated that there would absolutely be no restriction of entry for Students coming from Africa despite the current Ebola crisis occurring largely in West Africa and now has spread to Nigeria.
Rapid travel by air is the culprit. Those who travel are well advised to take precautions like washing hands with soap and water frequently and resort to wearing masks if the passenger next to you is coughing and sneezing all night on long-haul journey.
The news of an African student entering Malaysia with signs and symptoms which are suspected to be an Ebola infection is disheartening and frightening to say the least. Though Malaysia is equipped to deal with the scourge having dealt with the SARS problem ten years ago, we cannot but be highly concerned. Unlike SARS, Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) has a high case fatality rate, killing almost 50% of its victims and like SARS there is no cure, neither is there a vaccine to prevent it.
The report of the fourth doctor to have died of the infection in Liberia is disconcerting though we understand the condition there is a lot less favourable in terms of detection, diagnosis, management of cases, contact tracing and isolation procedures. The problem there is compounded by poor education of the people and the belief in the unknown, poverty and the mistrust of health personnel.
Though it is said that Ebola virus is hard to be transmitted, the risk of fatality to infection is high due to its virulence nature and massive immune response causing widespread internal bleeding in organs.
So do be careful when you are in the crowded international airports. You never know.
Rapid travel by air is the culprit. Those who travel are well advised to take precautions like washing hands with soap and water frequently and resort to wearing masks if the passenger next to you is coughing and sneezing all night on long-haul journey.
The news of an African student entering Malaysia with signs and symptoms which are suspected to be an Ebola infection is disheartening and frightening to say the least. Though Malaysia is equipped to deal with the scourge having dealt with the SARS problem ten years ago, we cannot but be highly concerned. Unlike SARS, Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) has a high case fatality rate, killing almost 50% of its victims and like SARS there is no cure, neither is there a vaccine to prevent it.
The report of the fourth doctor to have died of the infection in Liberia is disconcerting though we understand the condition there is a lot less favourable in terms of detection, diagnosis, management of cases, contact tracing and isolation procedures. The problem there is compounded by poor education of the people and the belief in the unknown, poverty and the mistrust of health personnel.
Though it is said that Ebola virus is hard to be transmitted, the risk of fatality to infection is high due to its virulence nature and massive immune response causing widespread internal bleeding in organs.
So do be careful when you are in the crowded international airports. You never know.
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