Malaria: More than 4,500 Orang Asli screened

More than 4,500 Orang Asli from 12 settlements in Perak have been screened to ensure they are free from Malaria.

The settlements include Pos Poi in Sungai Siput and Pos Kemar in Gerik, where the disease was first detected on November 21.

According to Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam, less than one percent of those screened tested positive for Malaria.

Those who tested positive only knew they are infected after the screening as they did not show any symptoms.

"This is why we have to identify all those who carry the parasite in their blood in that area. And that process is almost over.

"More than 4,500 villagers have been screened and those positive with malaria have been identified. They will be given treatment for two weeks.

"It will kill the parasite in their blood and they will then be free of the disease," he said after handing over aid to 46 recipients under the 1Azam programme in the Segamat constituency today.

Since the outbreak, six Orang Asli from Pos Poi have tested positive for Malaria.

However, although four of them have since been allowed to return home, the disease still needs to be given due attention.