Location: Malaysia
Event: Health Alert – Coronavirus Update #3
At this time there are twelve confirmed patients who are being closely monitored with Coronavirus in Malaysia; no deaths are reported. Additionally, news reports state that health officials have responded to a suspected case at the Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC) complex this afternoon. The patient was transported to Kuala Lumpur Hospital with a medical team in full protective suits as a precautionary measure following established protocols. Malaysia has a highly developed health care system and has designated two capable government hospitals in Kuala Lumpur to screen, test and evaluate patients with Wuhan virus. Diagnosis and confirmation of whether a patient is ill with Coronavirus takes between 24 to 48 hours in hospital.
The following information is repeated from the Feb 3, 2020 Health Alert
The United States has imposed travel restrictions and quarantines on individuals traveling from China. Foreign nationals who have visited China within 14 days of seeking admission to the United States will be denied entry, with the exception of lawful permanent residents, immediate family members of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents, and certain others. Read the Presidential Proclamation.
U.S. citizens are reminded that anyone who has visited China’s Hubei Province within 14 days before reentry to the United States will face a mandatory quarantine, while citizens returning from other parts of mainland China will face advanced screening and a self-imposed quarantine to monitor their health. U.S. permanent residents, immediate family of U.S. citizens and permanent residents and others exempted from the entry ban are also expected to be subject to quarantine.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Warning for all of China. The CDC has published suggestions on how to reduce your risk of contracting the Novel Coronavirus. Visit the CDC webpage for expanded information about the Novel Coronavirus, including prevention, signs and symptoms, and treatment.
Additional information regarding the novel coronavirus in Malaysia can be found at the Ministry of Health’s website.
Actions to Take:
- Avoid all nonessential travel to China.
- Check with the airlines regarding any flight cancellations and/or restrictions on flying.
- Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
- If you traveled to China and feel sick, or were exposed to someone who was in China in the last six weeks who has fever, cough, or difficulty breathing, seek medical care right away. For the most up-to-date information, please consult the CDC website.
- U.S. citizens are urged to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive alerts.
Assistance:
- U.S. Embassy Kuala Lumpur
-
- Phone number: +603-2168-5000
- Email address: KLACS@state.gov
- Embassy website: https://my.usembassy.gov
- State Department – Consular Affairs
- Malaysia Country Information
- Enroll in Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security updates
- Follow us on Facebook and Twitter
- Alerts and Messages: https://my.usembassy.gov/category/alert
- Embassy Kuala Lumpur main page: https://my.usembassy.gov/
- News & Events portion of Embassy website: https://my.usembassy.gov/category/news