MALAYSIA has stepped up health screening at all international entry points to prevent any possible cases of hantavirus entering the country.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said that as of May 10, no hantavirus cases had been reported in Malaysia or involving Malaysians, while the six confirmed cases so far were reported overseas.
However, he stressed that the country must continue to be vigilant against the rat-borne virus.
He said precautionary measures must be taken without causing concern among the people.
“We do not want to cause concern, but at the same time, we do not want the people to be complacent.
"No country is truly safe, so we need to take precautions and continue to be prepared," he said after attending the Closing Ceremony of the National Tobacco Control Conference (NTCC) and Lung Health Summit today.
In a related development, Dr Dzulkefly said strict monitoring was also being implemented in the maritime sector, with mandatory health checks on all ships and boats entering Malaysian waters, especially those arriving from high-risk areas.
He said so far, a total of 22,367 ships and boats had been checked at the country's entry points.
Commenting on the level of preparedness of health facilities, Dr Dzulkefly said the country's healthcare system was at a level of readiness to detect and treat the virus infection.
He said the Institute of Medical Research (IMR) could diagnose hantavirus using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test method.
"Standard diagnostic and testing capabilities were available. Health offices at all international entry points were also on standby and would continue to strengthen sanitation activities," he said. – May 10, 2026
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