Re: Malaysia: Military base under lockdown after outbreak - suspected leptospirosis
Leptospirosis claims fi rst victim, others in stable condition
IKRAM ISMAIL
Monday, December 5th, 2011 10:07:00
PETALING JAYA: One of the two trainee commandos attached to the Bukit Jugra Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) base who was suffering critical leptospirosis infection died last Saturday.
Last Friday, The Malay Mail reported that 24 trainee commandos had been admitted to Banting Hospital on Nov 28 due to the disease that is commonly associated with rat?s urine.
However, RMAF public relations officer Major Kamarulzaman Ali yesterday clarified that the actual number of trainees admitted was 32.
He also confirmed the trainee?s death at Klang Hospital, where the critical duo were admitted.
?On Nov 28, 32 trainee commandos from RMAF Special Air Service (Paskau) were admitted to the hospital, believed to be due to ?leptospirosis infection?.
?The disease was detected after the trainees complained of coughs on Monday morning during their daily medical check-up with our doctor.
?Following that, 32 trainees were rushed to Banting Hospital. Out of that total, two were deemed in critical condition and were transferred to Klang Hospital,? he said.
Kamarulzaman said 13 trainees were discharged last Thursday and another 13 the next day.
?The 26 discharged trainees were sent back to Bukit Jugra RMAF base to be quarantined and fully monitored by our doctor.?
He said it was believed that the trainees were infected in their training area, which has been closed down since.
?We are not locking down the entire Bukit Jugra RMAF base because the infection area is not in our base camp,? said Kamarulzaman.
Meanwhile, he said currently there are another four trainees in Banting Hospital and another in Klang Hospital, with all reported to be in stable condition.
?We are also updating their family members from time to time on their condition.
?We are awaiting the full report from the army?s Health Corps. So far, no new cases have been found,? said Kamarulzaman.
Last Thursday, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi confirmed the soldiers had been infected by leptospirosis.
Health Ministry officers had conducted checks at the RMAF base, including scouring the Bukit Jugra jungle area where the victims were believed to have undergone final training. The training was supposed to have ended on Dec 1.
Health Ministry officials have since descended on the army base to ensure there was no outbreak
-
Malaysia: Military base under lockdown after outbreak - suspected leptospirosis
Just a little odd. Leptospirosis is not contagious, so if they are quarantining both the ill soldiers and the base, it may be something else...
24 trainee commandos in hospital for suspected leptospirosis infection
G. Prakash
Azril Annuar
Friday, December 2nd, 2011 10:21:00
SHUTDOWN: Health Ministry officers will conduct checks at the Bukit Jugra RMAF base (top) while infected commandos are being housed in the maternity ward at Hospital Banting
BANTING: The Bukit Jugra RMAF base is under lockdown after 24 trainee commandos were admitted for suspected leptospirosis infection.
Two of them are in critical condition, while Health Ministry officials have descended on the army base since Monday to ensure there is no outbreak.
The trainees have been quarantined in the maternity ward of the Banting Hospital. Two of them are in critical condition, with one trainee transferred to the Kuala Lumpur Hospital yesterday.
The condition of the remaining 22 trainees was reported to be stable. Thery will be released only after tests are complete — expected to be in a few days.
[snip]
A hospital staff who contacted The Malay Mail said they were given strict orders by hospital management and military commandants to keep the situation under wraps.
Hospital Banting director Dr Rozita Mohamed confirmed the commandos were admitted there but declined to comment further.
Visiting the hospital yesterday, The Malay Mail found the 22 commandos housed at the maternity ward.
A hospital staff said there were two maternity wards and whenever a high number of patients were admitted with the same problem, they were kept at one of the wards, also known as “Ward 2”.
A nurse, who declined to be identified, said as patients were quarantined, they had to be housed in a separate ward.
“The hospital is taking precautionary measures as the disease may be contagious.”
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Zahid Hamidi yesterday confirmed the soldiers were infected by leptospirosis, which is commonly associated with rat’s urine.
[snip]
Leave a comment: