Malaysia confirms first locally-transmitted Zika case

By P Prem Kumar

KUALA LUMPUR (AA) – Malaysia confirmed Saturday its first locally-transmitted Zika virus infection following the diagnosis of a 61-year-old man in eastern state Sabah.

The health ministry’s director-general, Noor Hisham Abdullah, said in a statement that the case was reported to authorities Friday and confirmed as locally transmitted Saturday.

"It was found that this Zika infection is most likely from a local source of infection, as the patient did not have any recent traveling history abroad and was probably bitten by an Aedes mosquito infected with Zika," he said.

According to Abdullah, the patient developed a fever Aug. 27 and sought medical attention for the first time three days later.

On Aug. 31, the patient had sought further treatment when he experienced worsening fever, muscle aches and diarrhea.

"The patient also has other co-morbidities, whereby he is suffering from high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, chronic kidney disease, kidney stones and gout,” Abdullah added. "Due to his multiple illnesses, the patient’s condition was quite serious when he was first seen in the hospital."

The confirmation came two days after Malaysia confirmed its first Zika case after a 58-year-old woman who recently traveled to Singapore -- where the number of reported infections has risen to 189 -- tested positive for the virus.

Abdullah said the latest information obtained by Singapore's health ministry showed there are 11 Malaysians in the island nation confirmed to be infected with Zika.

Around 10 of them live and work in Singapore, while one person is working in Singapore but residing in Malaysia’s southern Johor state.