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What are the causes of the 54 deaths in the present viral epidemic? Statement by Dr Tan Seng Giaw, DAP National Vice-Chairman and MP for Kepong on the cause or causes of 54 deaths in the current epidemic. 22 March,1999. | |||||||
| The present Governmental measures to cull 300,000 pigs in the so-called PE areas, in particular the pig-rearing region of Negeri Sembilan, the vaccination campaign and the fogging of Culex mosquitoes are going apace. Let us hope that these are enough to control the outbreak. No doubt, after these measures, long-term programmes will be worked out to ensure tat there will not be further epidemics. These should include management and prevention of panics as well as the propensity to label an epidemic before knowing the real causes. In 1997, the Health Ministry labelled Coxsackie epidemic in Sarawak whereas we are still seeing children with Coxsackie infection. The Sarawak epidemic was due to Enterovirus 71. | |
The Ministry has been too proud to admit it. Now, the attack has been named the JE epidemic. Is it JE or HE or something else? At least, the American Health Department is more cautious. It just mentions a mysterious disease. The Ministry admitted to 54 deaths so far, out of which 39 occurred in N.S. What are the causes? As the mass media carry various types of news on the epidemic, there are conflicting views. Hence, the Ministry would have to come out with the actual viruses identified. If this cannot be done, when will the Government be in a position to do so? Certainly, we heed help from foreign and local experts to hunt down the virus or viruses. Let us hope that there will be answers soon. Dr Tan Seng Giaw | |||||
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