Two Virologists Sent To Identify JE Virus

KOTA BAHARU, Feb 2 (Bernama) -- The Health Department has sent two virologists from the Institute for Medical Research (IMR) and National Public Health Laboratory to Kelantan to identify the virus that has killed two students in Tanah Merah.
Their study would help the department draw up strategies to contain the virus, its Deputy Director-General Datuk Dr Shafie Ouyub told reporters before being briefed on the Japanese Encephalitis (JE) endemic at the Vector Study Laboratory here Thursday.
The briefing was given by Kelantan Health Director Datuk Dr Ahmad Razin Ahmad Maher. Also present was Disease Control Deputy Director Dr Marzuki Md Isa.
Norhayati Awang, 27, of Tanah Merah has been confirmed to have been infected with JE virus. She is being warded at the Raja Perempuan Zainab II Hospital, here.
Last Thursday and yesterday, two 13-year-old students, also from Tanah Merah, Siti Mardiana Mohd Romli and Hasnira Akmal Hussin, died after showing JE symptoms.
Tests showed Siti Mardiana did not die of JE while the cause of Hasnira's death had not been disclosed.
Dr Shafie said a full statement on the matter would be issued by Health Services Director-General Datuk Dr Ismail Merican in Kuala Lumpur, Friday.
Siti Mardiana's father, Mohd Romli Mohd Zaid, 34, and brother Mohd Awi, 5, are also being warded.
Dr Shafie said the health situation in Tanah Merah was under control while efforts to identify the source of the JE disease was underway.