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Identify the virus causing the current Malaysian viral epidemic. Statement by Dr Tan Seng Giaw, DAP National Vice-Chairman and MP for Kepong on the official figure of 63 deaths due to viral encephalitis on March 28, 1999. | |||||||
| Since the epidemic in Perak and Negeri Sembilan and then Selangor, the Government has taken a series of steps: expansion of the buffer zone, destruction of hundreds of thousands of pigs, vaccination, stopping of vaccination on pigs, fogging of mosquitoes, special fund and lottery. We hope these will be effective. Let the people cooperate with the Government to overcome the disaster. On the other hand, the Government is responsible for issuing consistent guidelines. This includes informing the public about the strain of virus causing the outbreak. We understand that virus mutates. It is not easy to identify. But, the Government did not set up a special centre with local and foreign experts early to track the virus. Only last week that such a centre was announced. Although it is late, the centre is expected to produce the answer as soon | |
as possible. The official figure is 63 deaths from viral encephalitis, out of which 48 have been from Negeri Sembilan. The victims had contacts with pigs. According to the Director-General at the Health Ministry, about 18 deaths were due to Japanese Encephalitis, JE, and the rest were due to Hendra or Hendra-like virus. Is it possible to have two or more viruses causing an epidemic? Has the special centre detected antigen or antibody or cultured the virus? When a virus enters a human or animal body, it becomes an antigen that stimulates the production of a special protein or antibody to fight the virus. In most cases, the antibody succeeds in destroying the antigen. In the laboratory, there may be confusion in detecting the JE and Hendra virus antibodies. Hence, the centre is trying to differentiate the viruses. Dr Tan Seng Giaw | |||||
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