GEORGE TOWN, May 11 -- Penang has strengthened health security at its international entry points at both the port and international airport to prevent the spread of hantavirus here.

State exco for health, youth and sports Daniel Gooi Zi Sen said steps have been taken to tighten international entry screening measures.

"These steps include increasing the capacity of existing laboratories to assist in detecting potential hantavirus infections," he said in a press conference at the state legislative assembly today.

He reiterated a statement by the Ministry of Health that at present hantavirus cases occurred mainly in European countries so the likelihood of transmission in Malaysia is considered relatively low.

However the state health dep...