No new case of Japanese Encephalitis (JE) has been detected in Kampung Selamat in Tasek Gelugor following the case of a 12-year-old boy from the village who was suspected of being infected by the virus.

Penang Health director Dr Lailanor Ibrahim urged the public not to worry as the department had carried out control and prevention activities in the area.

“The State Health Department and the Veterinary Department are closely monitoring and prevention measures, including giving health education to residents and active case finding will continue to be carried out,” she told Bernama in Tasek Gelugor today.

However, she advised the public get immediate treatment at clinics or hospitals should they have symptoms of fever, headache nausea and vomiting.

On the condition of the boy, a Year Six pupil of Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Kampung Selamat said to be in a coma in a private hospital in Bayan Baru, Dr Lailanor said she had yet to receive the report on the boy from the hospital concerned.

“Today, my officer will get the report from the hospital and a special committee which has been formed will meet to decide on the next course of action,” she added.

Dr Lailanor also said that she would extend the necessary assistance to the boy’s family if they wanted to transfer the boy to a government hospital.

Meanwhile, state veterinary officer Dr Nabilah Abdul Talib said a veterinary team, assisted by the Seberang Perai Municipal Council, had taken blood samples of pigs from 20 farms in the village for JE tests.

The results will be known on Friday, she added.

- Bernama

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