How Malaysia contained the Covid-19 spread: The heroes behind the scenes
Thursday, 27 Feb 2020 09:44 AM MYTVirology unit head Dr Ravindran Thayan speaks to reporters before a media tour of the Institute of Medical Research in Kuala Lumpur February 26, 2020. — Picture by Hari Anggara
One such agency is the Institute of Medical Research . Its responsibility is widespread and covers running diagnostics, research, consultancy, and training pivotal in combating the spread of diseases — be it viral, bacterial or parasitical. Dr Ravindran said IMR laboratories could determine the presence of Covid-19 from samples within as few as five to six hours.
“After this comes the preparation of the real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction reagents, and the real-time RT-PCR tests on Covid-19. The results are analysed, and must usually be reported immediately to the Health Ministry’s Crisis Preparedness and Response Centre,” he said.
In his 27-year career with the institute, the virologist said he has witnessed many instances of outbreaks, with one example being the Nipah virus in 1998 and 1999, which resulted in 105 deaths and the culling of over a million pigs by the authorities to stem the spread.
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