KOTA BHARU: The Malaysian Civil Defence Force (APM) Volunteer Team of Ketereh is intensifying its hantavirus and rodent-borne virus prevention campaign in conjunction with the Aidiladha holiday period.
Kota Bharu District Civil Defence Force officer Major Mohd Arif Mohd Zain said the campaign focuses on prevention through cleanliness measures, particularly in high-risk areas such as around the Peringat and Melor public markets.
“The long school holidays, coupled with the Hari Raya Aidiladha celebration, see a lot of people travelling overseas or getting together in large groups, thus increasing the risk of infection with animal-borne diseases.
“Although Malaysia has not recorded any hantavirus cases, early awareness campaigns are vital so that the public is more aware of the aspect of cleanliness, especially in market areas and public places,” he said in a statement today.
Elaborating, Mohd Arif said that the campaign is led by the head of the CDA-08 Ketereh Medical Company, Associate Lieutenant Colonel Dr Nurul Ain Razali, with assistance from the Kota Bharu Civil Defence District Office and Klinit Warga Nurul Ain in Peringat.
He hoped the campaign would educate the public to consistently practice preventive measures to reduce the risk of the spread of rodent-borne diseases.
“The half-day programme involved the distribution of pamphlets on diseases, their causes, symptoms and preventive measures to over 100 traders and market visitors,” he said. – BERNAMA
