Zika in Malaysia: Pregnant women advised not to panic

Rohani also reminded them to always take care of their health to ensure that their foetus would not be affected.

If there symptoms were detected,then it was best to go to the nearest clinic or hospital, she said.

She told this to reporters after attending the 9th International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP) here today. The conference which started on Sept 1 concluded today.

Rohani also advised pregnant women to avoid visiting countries that had reported cases of Zika.

She added that her ministry is prepared to provide support services such as counselling to mothers as well as the public.

Meanwhile, Malaysian Fisheries Development Board (LKIM) chairman Datuk Seri Irmohizam Ibrahim reminded fishermen, especially those who caught fish near Singaporean waters to go for checks at the nearest health clinic or health centre if they had Zika symptoms.

LKIM also advised fishermen associations to be careful, especially those involved in the export of fish in Singapore.

"Currently, there have been no instances of Zika infection reported among the fishermen and LKIM is constantly on the alert to ensure that any outbreak can be checked, we will also ensure that there is a sufficient supply of fish available for the country," he said.

On Thursday, the Health Ministry confirmed the first Malaysian Zika case involving a 58-year-old woman who lives in Bandar Botanic, Klang, who is suspected to have contracted the virus while on a visit to Singapore.

Today, Health director Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah confirmed another Zika virus infection case, which is the first locally transmitted case.

It involved a 61-year-old man living in Taman Public Jaya Likas, Sabah.