SMS warning on ‘zulican virus’ a hoax

October 31st, 2005

KUALA LUMPUR: Ignore an SMS saying that a “very dangerous zulican virus is spreading through seafood”.

Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek advised people not to spread or listen to such rumours following the tsunami disaster.

“The Health Ministry is always on the alert and will keep the public informed of any new developments, including infectious diseases.

“Everything is under control so far,” he said.

According to the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA), the so-called virus does not exist.

MMA president Datuk Dr N. Arumugam said he had also not received any report of sudden surges in food-poisoning cases, even in states badly affected by the tsunami, like Penang and Kedah.

The people would be safe as long as they did not eat the decaying fish washed ashore during the tsunami, he said.

When told that some variations of the SMS cited the MMA as the source of the alert, he said: “Perhaps some people have nothing better to do, so they decide to stir things up.”

In Petaling Jaya, Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Shafie Apdal said his ministry would continue to monitor fish prices, supplies and sources to ensure price stability and food safety following the tsunami disaster.

He said the ministry was working closely with the Malaysian Fisheries Development Board to monitor the prices as well as to ensure that the fish were sourced from non-contaminated areas.