Johorean down with Chikungunya after trip

Star: JOHOR BARU: A 62-year-old man from Taman Ungku Tun Aminah in Skudai here has tested positive for Chikungunya.
The man and five other family members had visited Bagan Panchor near Pantai Remis in Perak – which saw an outbreak of the mosquito-borne disease recently – and he developed a fever when they got home.
Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said the man sought treatment at a clinic and was later admitted to a private hospital where he tested positive for the viral disease on Monday.
“However, there is no reason to panic because we have already taken all measures to ensure that the disease does not spread in the residential area in Skudai,” Dr Chua said after visiting the Kota Tinggi Hospital here yesterday.
“We have fogged the area. We advise all residents who have fever or joint pains to seek medical attention and get their blood tested.”
Dr Chua said the disease could have been brought into the country by foreign workers.
He said no case was reported in the past two days and the country would be declared free of Chikungunya if no case was reported in the next one or two weeks.
Dr Chua also said the Health Ministry would set up a Health Promotion Board next month with an allocation of RM50mil to carry out various activities to promote a healthy lifestyle.
The board, he said, would be headed by a full-time chief executive officer and its members would include non-governmental organisation officials and professionals.