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We need a centre to identify the virus causing the current eopidemic. Statement by Dr Tan Seng Giaw, DAP National Vice-Chairman and MP for Kepong on the delay in setting up the viral laboratory , the P4-level biohazard facility, at the University Hospital on 30 March 1999. | |||||||
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The present viral encephalitic epidemic started last year. Two weeks ago, the Health Minister Dato' Chua Jui Meng said that a special centre would be set up to identify the virus. He has been quoting from virologists from Atlanta's CDC, Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, such as Dr Tom Ksiazek and Patrick Stockton. Yesterday, Dato' Chua Jui Meng reiterated that 10 foreign experts including eight from the CDC and two Australians would be helping local medical experts to identify the virus and test animal and human tissues. He did mention Taiwan experts. Where do they fit in? Are they just for culling pigs? True, the nature of virus is that it mutates. It may be difficult to get to the bottom of things. It may take time. Meanwhile, local experts have been battling with the samples | |
for weeks. We do have good virologists? Has their expertise been put into good use? Granted that there are many obstacles to the formation of a P4-level biohazard facility that requires elaborate precaution. Why does it take the Government so long to get it to work? Why has the team not begun? When can we get out of the suspicion of Hendra-like virus? We would like the government to explain why it takes so long to set up the facility when this is an emergency. The official figure shows that over 60 patients have died. More are dying every day. The question of more than one virus causing the epidemic simultaneously would have to be settled as soon as possible so that effective measures can be taken. If the virus is not identified, then the measures taken are at best blunderbuss. Dr Tan Seng Giaw | |||||
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