Minister of Health Mam Bun Heng on Tuesday visited Preah Sihanouk province to urge health officials to redouble their efforts now that the presence of the virus has been confirmed. Supplied
The Ministry of Health on Tuesday said it had located and tested people who have had contact with the Chinese tourist in Sihanoukville who is infected with the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV). None was found to carry it.
On Monday, Jia Jianhua, 60, who landed in Sihanoukville from Wuhan city, China, the epicentre of the disease, was confirmed to be infected by the new coronavirus that has already killed over 100 people in China.
Following the announcement, the government said it was on the lookout for anyone that may have come into contact with Jia, including passengers who took the same flight as him on January 23.
Jia’s three family members – Wang Lingzhen, 57; Xiao Yan, 38, and Jia Ruixuan, 33 – tested negative but have been quarantined as a precaution.
The Communicable Disease Control (CDC) Department of the Ministry of Health confirmed on Monday that no new cases have been reported.
“The ministry has found that, of those who came into contact with the man during his stay in Cambodia or during the flight, none showed any symptoms associated with the disease.
“The technical officials will continue to monitor the health of those who came into contact with him. All doctors in Preah Sihanouk Provincial Referral Hospital continue with their work as usual,” it said.
The CDC noted that Jia’s condition is stable and he is in good health with no severe symptoms.
Several ministries have recently issued a set of precautionary measures for officials and the general public.
Minister of Education, Youth and Sport Hang Chuon Naron on Monday signed a directive instructing all public and private educational institutions in the country to implement a set of temporary preventative measures issued by the Ministry of Health.
Likewise, Minister of Labour and Vocational Training Ith Sam Heng on Monday said in a directive that anyone that has recently been to Wuhan city must go to a hospital or clinic for a health checkup as soon as possible.
He said this is particularly important if they have high fever, coughing, runny nose, sore throat, or shortness of breath.
“The owners and directors of factories, enterprises and establishments as well as their workers must abide by this instruction as soon as possible,” the directive said.
The ministers asked the public to avoid coming into contact with anyone infected with the virus and refrain from travelling to Hubei province, where Wuhan city is located.
They also told people to wash their hands after touching animals and to cook meat and eggs thoroughly before consuming it. The ministers told the public to cover their nostrils and mouth with a krama, handkerchief or tissue when coughing or sneezing.
“Always be clean and hygienic and share these preventative measures with others,” the directives said.
Ministry of Health secretary of state and spokeswoman Or Vandine told The Post that Minister of Health Mam Bun Heng on Tuesday visited Preah Sihanouk province to urge health officials to redouble their efforts now that the presence of the virus has been confirmed.
“The minister went to Preah Sihanouk province to review the protocols to prevent the spread of the virus and to meet directly with the man that tested positive. His Excellency also met with provincial health officials to provide instructions and improve cooperation.”
Vandine said Jia has been placed in isolation, and doctors are closely monitoring his health.
