PETALING JAYA: Pregnant women should avoid or delay traveling to countries with a high rate of Zika virus outbreak, said Wanita MCA national chairman Datuk Heng Seai Kie (pic).

Expressing deep concern that the Zika virus had reached Malaysian shores with its first victim reported on Wednesday, Heng urged all Malaysians to step up precautionary measures.

“Women are advised to undertake an individual risk assessment with their doctor besides avoiding or delaying travel to high risk countries.

“Likewise for travelers who just returned from high risk countries, they should undertake a blood test,” she said in a statement Friday.

She also urged Malaysians to take measures to prevent mosquito bites by wearing covered clothing, applying insect repellent and installing mosquito nets or wire-mesh screens in their homes.

“People (who) suddenly fall sick and show no signs of recovery despite consuming plenty of water or fever tablets should immediately seek medical attention promptly,” she added.

On Wednesday, a 58-year-old woman from Taman Botanic in Klang was confirmed by the Health Ministry as the first case of Zika virus infection in Malaysia.

The woman is believed to have contracted the disease when visiting her daughter in Singapore from Aug 19-21.

She began displaying symptoms a week after her return, with a urine test subsequently confirming that she was infected with the virus.

-The STAR-