No link between Nipah virus and food in banana leaf, says ministry
Bernama | June 20, 2018
Selangor state health director Dr Khalid Ibrahim denies viral message on social media.
The health ministry says a viral message linking Nipah virus and food wrapped in banana leaf is not true. (Facebook pic)
PUTRAJAYA: The health ministry has denied the claim in a recent message that has gone viral on social media linking a death at a local private hospital to consuming food wrapped in banana leaf supposedly contaminated by the Nipah virus.
Selangor state health director Dr Khalid Ibrahim said the ministry had conducted an investigation based on the message and found that there was no patient admitted to the hospital with such a case.
“There was no case nor death notification received by the district health offices, the state health department or the ministry involving any disease or incidence of food poisoning suspected to be caused by the use of banana leaf or a case suspected being infected with the Nipah virus,” he said in a statement.
The Whatsapp message stated that a woman had encountered breathing difficulties and died later after consuming a meal wrapped in banana leaf that had the virus.
Khalid urged the public not to believe news and messages that were not verified.
He said it would be best for them to get confirmation from the ministry before passing on incorrect information.
