One case of JE reported in Sarawak - Dr Subramaniam

A case of the Japanese Encephalitis (JE) virus involving a seven-year-old boy was reported in Sarawak, said Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam.

He said the child from Taman Sentoria, Jalan Stakan in Kota Samarahan was hospitalized at Sarawak General Hospital on May 25.

"We (ministry) received the report regarding the case yesterday from the Sarawak Health Department (SHD) and we will continue to monitor it.

"We will inform if there is a new case. It is only an isolated case which may be related to the lifestyle of the community in the area," he told reporters after officiating the 11th International Symposium on Pediatric Pain, here today.

He said the child suffered the symptoms of fever, headache and behavioural change before he was confirmed with JE positive through cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood tests.

Subramaniam said the SHD will continue its control and prevention actions through fogging and larviciding activity to kill mosquito larvae in the area.

In addition, JE vaccine would be given to children below 15 years old.

The JE virus is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected Culex mosquitoes from infected pigs but the transmission did not occur from humans to other humans.

-- BERNAMA