No reports of Covid-19 transmission via food in Malaysia, says health D-G

KUALA LUMPUR (June 15): Health director-general (D-G) Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said there are no reports of any Covid-19 infection being transmitted via food in Malaysia.

He was responding to questions from reporters yesterday about an outbreak of infections that has been linked to a wholesale market in Beijing, China, where traces of Covid-19 were reportedly detected on the chopping board of a seller of imported salmon.

The news sparked speculations about whether the fish can spread the disease, as concerns grow over a resurgence of the disease as China reported 57 new Covid-19 cases today — its highest daily figure since April.

"So far, we have had no issues with our fish. And we have not heard of any virus transmission from the food because we cook our food, and the heat itself kills the virus," he said.

He also noted that some countries have reported increases in Covid-19 infections, and that Malaysia is following the developments closely.

In the meantime, he said Malaysia will continue to strengthen its border controls while efforts to curb local transmissions of the disease will be continued.

More importantly, everyone must take precautionary measures by keeping good personal hygiene, he said.

Earlier yesterday, Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said Malaysia had been recognised as among five nations in the world that have succeeded in controlling the spread of Covid-19.

"People's acceptance to the government's actions received recognition in a global survey, where Malaysia was ranked among the top five countries in the world, with the highest public approval," Ismail Sabri told reporters.

Meanwhile, Noor Hisham said Malaysia has started talks with China in terms of collaborating to develop a vaccine for Covid-19, with Malaysia volunteering for clinical trials.

"Our university and the Clinical Research Malaysia and companies in China have started discussions.

"In China, they are currently doing phase-one and phase-two clinical trials. We were told that the report [on the trials] will be ready in November or December this year. [Once they do phase three and] if the phase-three clinical trial report is favourable, we will volunteer for the clinical trial," he said.

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