International Travel Medicine Center of Iran International Journal of Travel Medicine and Global Health 2322-1100 8 3 2020 08 01 First Local Transmission Cluster of COVID-19 in Malaysia: Public Health Response 124 130 111197 10.34172/ijtmgh.2020.21 EN Noor Ani Ahmad Institute for Public Health, Ministry of Health Malaysia, 40170 Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia 0000-0001-8136-5295 Zhuo Lin Chong Institute for Public Health, Ministry of Health Malaysia, 40170 Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia Sunita Abd Rahman Crisis Preparedness and Response Centre (CPRC), Kedah State Health Department, Ministry of Health Malaysia, 05400 Alor Setar, Kedah, Malaysia Muhammad Haikal Ghazali Crisis Preparedness and Response Centre (CPRC), Selangor State Health Department, 40100 Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia 0000-0002-4149-6124 Ezy Eriyani Nadzari Kuala Muda District Health Office, Ministry of Health Malaysia, 08000 Sg Petani, Kedah, Malaysia Zazarida Zakiman Petaling District Health Office, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia Suziana Redzuan Kuala Muda District Health Office, Ministry of Health Malaysia, 08000 Sg Petani, Kedah, Malaysia Salina Md Taib Petaling District Health Office, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia Mohd Shaiful Azlan Kassim Institute for Public Health, Ministry of Health Malaysia, 40170 Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia Wan Noraini Wan Mohamed Noor National Crisis Preparedness and Response Centre (CPRC), Disease Control Division, Minsitry of Health Malaysia, 62590 WP Putrajaya, Malaysia Journal Article 2020 06 28 <strong>Introduction:</strong> Rapid public health response is important in controlling the transmission of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In this study, we described the public health response received by the Ministry of Health of Malaysia in managing the first local transmission cluster of COVID-19 related to mass-gathering and inter-state traveling to celebrate a festival.<br /> <strong>Methods:</strong> We summarized strategies implemented by the Malaysia Crisis Preparedness and Response Centre (CPRC) in managing the first local transmission of COVID-19. We collected information related to the epidemiological investigation of this cluster and described the inter-state network in managing the outbreak.<br /> <strong>Results:</strong> This first local transmission of COVID-19 in Malaysia had a history of contact with her older brother, the index case, who was the first Malaysian imported case. Only two positive cases were detected out of 59 contacts traced from the index case. Close contacts with infected person/s, inter-state movement, and public/family gatherings were identified as the sources of transmission. A large number of contacts were traced from inter-state traveling, and family gatherings during the festive season, and health consultations and treatment.<br /> <strong>Conclusion:</strong> Close contacts from inter-state movement and public/family gatherings were identified as the source of transmission. Family or public gatherings during festivals or religious events should be prohibited or controlled in COVID-19 prevalent areas. A structured surveillance system with rapid contact tracing is significant in controlling the transmission of COVID-19 in the community. https://www.ijtmgh.com/article_111197_d1e934bd12ffff1442a5d43aa15be4c4.pdf