Malaysia - Assorted Illnesses April 30, 2009 +

[kiwibird]

One dead in Malaysia meningitis outbreak
00:03 AEST Sun May 10 2009
7 hours 28 minutes ago

A Malaysian man died and 12 others are in serious condition following a suspected outbreak of bacterial meningitis at a training camp in the southern state of Malacca, a news report said.

State health director Ghazali Othman said three patients have been placed in intensive care while the others are in the isolation ward of a state hospital.

A total of 85 trainees from the Road Transport Department have also been quarantined at the department's training academy following the outbreak, Ghazali was quoted as saying by the Star daily.

The trainees are believed to have been infected with bacterial meningitis during a field trip last month involving some 300 department trainees.

The group had been divided into teams of 100, and sent to three different neighbouring areas, Ghazali said.

On Monday, one of the trainees complained of having a headache, fever, runny nose and cough. He died on the way to hospital before he could receive treatment, the newspaper said.

Ghazali said health officials are investigating how the trainees could have contracted the disease, adding that a full report would be made on the incident.

Bacterial meningitis is a serious infection of the fluid in the spinal cord and the fluid that surrounds the brain.

The disease, which can be spread through bodily fluids of an infected person, can lead to brain damage and death if not treated early.

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/health/811885/one-dead-in-malaysia-meningitis-outbreak

 

[kiwibird]

Re: Malaysia Meningitis

Re: Malaysia Meningitis

dead, 12 quarantined after meningitis outbreak in Malaysia
Posted : Sat, 09 May 2009 03:29:43 GMT
Author : DPA
Category : Asia (World)
News Alerts by Email ( click here )
Asia World News | Home


Print this article email this article Comment on this article
Kuala Lumpur - A Malaysian man died and 12 others are in serious condition following a suspected outbreak of bacterial meningitis at a training camp in the southern state of Malacca, a news report said Saturday. State health director Ghazali Othman said three patients have been placed in intensive care while the others are in the isolation ward of a state hospital.

A total of 85 trainees from the Road Transport Department have also been quarantined at the department's training academy following the outbreak, Ghazali was quoted as saying by the Star daily.

The trainees are believed to have been infected with bacterial meningitis during a field trip last month involving some 300 department trainees.

The group had been divided into teams of 100, and sent to three different neighbouring areas, Ghazali said.

On Monday, one of the trainees complained of having a headache, fever, runny nose and cough. He died on the way to hospital before he could receive treatment, the newspaper said.

Ghazali said health officials are investigating how the trainees could have contracted the disease, adding that a full report would be made on the incident.

Bacterial meningitis is a serious infection of the fluid in the spinal cord and the fluid that surrounds the brain.

The disease, which can be spread through bodily fluids of an infected person, can lead to brain damage and death if not treated early.

1 dead, 12 quarantined after meningitis outbreak in Malaysia
Posted : Sat, 09 May 2009 03:29:43 GMT
Author : DPA
Category : Asia (World)

Asia World News | Home


Print this article email this article Comment on this article
Kuala Lumpur - A Malaysian man died and 12 others are in serious condition following a suspected outbreak of bacterial meningitis at a training camp in the southern state of Malacca, a news report said Saturday. State health director Ghazali Othman said three patients have been placed in intensive care while the others are in the isolation ward of a state hospital.

A total of 85 trainees from the Road Transport Department have also been quarantined at the department's training academy following the outbreak, Ghazali was quoted as saying by the Star daily.

The trainees are believed to have been infected with bacterial meningitis during a field trip last month involving some 300 department trainees.

The group had been divided into teams of 100, and sent to three different neighbouring areas, Ghazali said.

On Monday, one of the trainees complained of having a headache, fever, runny nose and cough. He died on the way to hospital before he could receive treatment, the newspaper said.

Ghazali said health officials are investigating how the trainees could have contracted the disease, adding that a full report would be made on the incident.

Bacterial meningitis is a serious infection of the fluid in the spinal cord and the fluid that surrounds the brain.

The disease, which can be spread through bodily fluids of an infected person, can lead to brain damage and death if not treated early.

 

[kiwibird]

Re: Malaysia Meningitis

Re: Malaysia Meningitis

http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v5/news_lite.php?id=409968
Meningitis: Trainees Showing Improvement


MELAKA, May 9 (Bernama) -- Thirteen trainees from the Tiang Dua Road Transport Department Academy, who are seeking treatment for what is believed to be meningitis at the Melaka Hospital here, are showing improvement and have responded positively to the treatment given.

Melaka Women Affairs, Family Development and Health Committee deputy chairman, Chua Keng Hua said, three were being warded in the intensive care unit (ICU) while 10 others were in isolation wards due to airway infection.

"All patients are showing signs of fever with additional symptoms like headaches, joint pains, fatigue, nausea, stomach cramps and shivering," he told a news conference here today.

He added that another trainee, Mohd Hafiz Zainudin, 24, from Kelantan, died on his way to Melaka Hospital, believed to be due to meningitis, and not at the hospital as reported by the media yesterday.

Before the incident, some 100 trainees had undergone a three-day training stint from April 27 outside the academy in three groups at Pedas, Negeri Sembilan, Muar, Johor and Bukit Katil, Melaka.

Chua said all blood and urine samples and throat swabs taken had been sent to labs in the Melaka Hopital and the Institute for Medical Research Malaysia for further investigation.

He said 85 other trainees were being quarantined at the academy for monitoring.

"The cause is still being investigated by the Melaka Health Department," he said.

He said the department had detected the case last Thursday when nine of its trainees had gone to the Melaka Hospital Emergency Department for treatment of fever and other symptoms.

Following that, a team was formed to investigate and screen all trainees aged between 23 and 24 at the academy.

He said till 8am today, the number of those exposed and screened was 418, consisting of trainees and academy staff.

He said the Melaka Health Department had taken various steps, which included opening up a operations room at the Melaka Tengah Health Office as well as setting up am investigations and control team.

Other measures taken are symptomatic treatment for each patient and referral to the hospital, Prophylaxis antibiotic treatment for trainees, academic staff and health staff involved, isolating patients at the hospital and the academy as well as checking the academy's surroundings.

Meanwhile, Melaka Health Department director, Dr Ghazali Othman who was also present at the news conference said the disease could spread through the air and that the disease is not new.

He said the Kelantan, Negeri Sembilan, Johor and Penang Health Department need to screen patients with symptoms of meningitis because some trainees would be returning to their respective hometowns soon.

-- BERNAMA

 

[kiwibird]

Re: Malaysia Meningitis

Re: Malaysia Meningitis

On Monday, one of the trainees complained of having a headache, fever, runny nose and cough. He died on the way to hospital before he could receive treatment, the newspaper said.

From Post #1 above.

I cannot find any listing of runny nose and cough as being a symptom here:
http://www.meningitisfoundationofamerica.org/templates/section-view/19/index.html

 

[kiwibird]

Re: Malaysia Suspected Meningitis

Re: Malaysia Suspected Meningitis

Changing thread name to include the word suspected as there are inconsistencies with symptoms.

 

[kiwibird]

Re: Malaysia Suspected Meningitis

Re: Malaysia Suspected Meningitis

All Melaka JPJ Academy Activities Suspended

KUALA LUMPUR, May 9 (Bernama) -- All activities in the Melaka JPJ Academy has been suspended due to the spread of meningitis leading to thirteen trainees being hospitalised.

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat said he was informed of the situation by the ministry's director-general and chief secretary early this morning after officiating "The Fourth Malaysia Calligraphy Exhibition" here.

"We have informed the Health Ministry regarding the situation. At the same time, we have also informed the parents of the students who were hospitalised. To help control the situation, all activities for the academy has been suspended for the time being," he told reporters.

Three of the 13 are admitted to the Intensive Care Unit of the Melaka Hospital while 10 others are warded at another section of the hospital but all are in stable conditions.

Asked to comment on the Perak State Assembly hoo-haa two days ago, Ong said such an incident could have been avoided and the fact that some assemblymen were dragged out, tarnished the parliamentary democracy in the country.

"Whether it is the Dewan or Parliament, there are laws governing procedures and ethics. I was shocked by the aggressive manner in which some were dragged out of the assembly. This has tarnished democracy," he added.

Meanwhile, Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said the death of a JPJ trainee at the Melaka JPJ Academy in Tiang Dua on May 4, was due to meningitis and not related to Influenza A (H1N1).

He added that meningitis was caused by bacteria and not virus.

The bacteria causes an increase in white blood cells and results in breathing difficulties that can cause death.

Mohd Hafiz Zainuddin, 24, from Kelantan, one of 354 trainees at the academy, undergoing a three-months training course, died on his way to the Melaka Hospital on May 4.

JPJ director general Datuk Solah Mat Hassan who visited the 13 trainees at the Melaka Hospital today said the three-month course which started on March 8 was suspended until the case was settled.

He added that another batch of trainees who were supposed to report on May 18, had also been put on hold.

-- BERNAMA
http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v5/newsindex.php?id=409999

 

[kiwibird]

Re: Malaysia Suspected Meningitis

Re: Malaysia Suspected Meningitis

http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Sunday/Frontpage/2553141/Article/index_html
2009/05/10
Meningitis Scare: Results of tests to be known in three days

MALACCA: The symptoms shown by the Road Transport Department Academy trai-nees at the Malacca Hospital are consistent with bacterial meningitis but the possibility of it being a viral influenza or some other bacterial infection has yet to be eliminated.
State health director Dr Ghazali Othman said that the trainees' symptoms, such as head and muscle aches, stomach cramps, fatigue, cough, nausea and shivering, and the fact that they were responding well to the medication given, indicated that it could be bacterial meningitis.

"However, we have taken the samples of blood, urine and swabs from the throat and sent them to the Institute for Medical Research in Kuala Lumpur. We expect the results within three days.

"We have not ruled out the possibility that these trainees might have been infected by viral influenza," he said.

Dr Ghazali was commenting on the trainee who died on Monday and the remaining 15 warded at Malacca Hospital, including three at the Intensive Care Unit.
One trainee, Mohd Ashraff Sabrani, 23, was also at the Kepala Batas Hospital in Penang and was being warded for a disease "still not yet known".

The other trainees who have shown similar symptoms, but on a mild scale, have been quarantined at the academy in Tiang Dua here. All the trainees are male and aged from 22 to 24.

Dr Ghazali also said the source of the infection had not been determined as the trainees had undergone a field training programme between April 27 and 29 in three locations -- Pedas in Negri Sembilan, Muar in Johor and Bukit Katil here. "There is a possibility the virus might have originated at the RTD Academy."

Dr Ghazali that all state health departments had been alerted and were in the midst of tracking the movements of all the trainees, including during the Workers Day holidays when they spent the weekend with their families.

He added in any bacterial infection, there would be an incubation period of between four and seven days.

 

[kiwibird]

Re: Malaysia Suspected Meningitis

Re: Malaysia Suspected Meningitis

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/5/10/nation/3873362&sec=nation
Sunday May 10, 2009
434 under quarantine at JPJ training academy following meningitis outbreak
Reports by NG SI HOOI, MARTIN CARVALHO and TEH ENG HOCK

MALACCA: The Road Transport Department?s Tiang Dua training academy turned into a temporary home for 354 trainees and 80 officers who are quarantined here, following a suspected meningitis outbreak.

This was an increase from the initial 85 trainees quarantined as of Friday.

All training at the academy have been put on hold and would only resume after getting the Health Ministry?s green light, said department director-general Datuk Solah Mat Hassan.
Taking no chances: Trainee Mohd Ghaffry 24, was one of the 10 trainees warded at the Malacca Hospital?s isolation ward following the suspected meningitis outbreak at the Road Transport Department?s Training Academy at Tiang Dua early this week.

Also put on hold is the fresh intake of 215 trainees who were scheduled to begin their course on May 18.

A weekly review would be carried out, Solah told reporters after visiting several trainees at the Malacca Hospital.

Three RTD trainees were warded in the intensive care unit, with another 10 treated at the isolation ward.

The suspected bacterial meningitis outbreak was detected on May 7 when nine trainees were referred to the hospital here after they complained of fever, cough, headaches and joint pains.

On May 4, trainee Mohd Hafiz Zainudin, 24, from Kota Baru, Kelantan, succumbed to the infection while being rushed to the hospital here.

Another trainee from Penang was warded at the Bukit Mertajam Hospital when he returned home for the Labour Day break.

The academy has set up a special operations room and a direct line at 06-269 2666 for family members to get the latest information.

?The situation is under control,? said Solah.

?There is no need to panic. I am aware parents are worried, so we have also set up a special meeting area at the academy?s entrance so that they can meet their children.?

He said visits would be limited only to close family members, and under strict supervision of the health authorities.

The trainees are at the academy for a three-month assistant enforcement officer?s training course that began on March 8. They graduate on June 1.

In Kuala Lumpur, Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat said the Health Ministry was alerted about the cases to control any spread.

?At the same time, we also informed the parents about the latest development of their children,? he told reporters after opening the fourth Malaysia Calligraphy Exhibition at Wisma Kebudayaan SGM yesterday.

Ong expressed his condolences over the death of Mohd Hafiz.

 

[kiwibird]

Re: Malaysia Suspected Meningitis

Re: Malaysia Suspected Meningitis

http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Sunday/Frontpage/2553137/Article/index_html
2009/05/10
Meningitis Scare: Only trainees hit by outbreak, says Liow
By : Jason Gerald, Eileen Ng and Lydia Gomez

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysians have been advised not to panic and remain calm following the outbreak of suspected bacterial meningitis at the Road Transport Department (RTD) Academy in Malacca.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said the outbreak was only confined to the academy, which has been placed under quarantine to prevent the disease from spreading further.

"It is treatable by antibiotics. Those with fever, headaches and joint pains are advised to quickly seek medical treatment," he said after opening a calligraphy exhibition at Wisma MCA yesterday.

Three trainees have been warded at Malacca Hospital's Intensive Care Unit while another 12 have been placed in isolation ward after complaining of fever, headaches and joint pains.

The remaining 337 trainees are quarantined at the academy.
Liow said the ministry had sent a special team of health officials and specialists, to investigate the outbreak and tackle the problem.

"I am curious why the infection rate was so high because, normally, figures will not be this high even if there is an outbreak."

Liow said the first case was reported on May 4 when a 23-year-old trainee, Mohd Hafiz Zainuddin, was admitted to the hospital.

The trainee, who had returned to his hometown in Kelantan after completing a field training exercise on April 29, died later.

Three days later, another 11 were admitted to Malacca Hospital, followed by four trainees on Friday.

Liow did not discount the possibility that the source of infection could be from the dead trainee, who returned to the academy on May 3. "This is a possibility but the team is looking at all possibilities."

Health director-general Tan Sri Ismail Merican said the situation was under control and tests were being conducted on all the trainees admitted to the Malacca Hospital.

He said from tests done earlier, it was suspected that they had been infected with bacterial meningitis.

"Tests are being conducted to confirm that the bacteria is the cause of infection. Laboratory tests show that this is unrelated to the Influenza A H1N1," he said.

So far, all of the trainees at the Malacca Hospital have been responding well to the antibiotics, he said, with one of them already recovered.

He said all remaining trainees and academy staff members were given prophylactic antibiotics on May 7. All training activities have been put off until May 15.

The trainees will be quarantined.

"They will be provided food and drinks as usual and their health will be monitored," he said in a statement.

In Johor Baru, state Health Department director Dr Mohd Khairi Yakub said the suspected outbreak of bacterial meningitis was an isolated incident which had no potential of spreading to Johor.

"The trainee who died was from Kelantan and although the trainees had travelled to Kesang in Muar, they had spent very little time there.

"Thus the possibility of the disease spreading to the state is negligible."

 

[kiwibird]

Re: Malaysia Suspected Meningitis

Re: Malaysia Suspected Meningitis

http://www.researchsea.com/html/article.php/aid/227/cid/3
In August 2004, the first HPAI virus was isolated in the state of Kelantan, Malaysia. From that time to July 2005, 35 HPAI viruses were isolated from at least 12 localities from this state.

Avian Influenza: Managing Risk and Responses in Malaysia

Author S.H. Sharifah, Suriani M.N., Hassuzana, K., Omar, A.R. and Aini, I.
Veterinary Research Institute, 59, Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah, 31400, Ipoh, Perak.

Published in the Proceedings of the 17th Veterinary Association Malaysia Congress, 27-30 July 2005, Mines Resort City Kuala Lumpur, pp 199-200.

In August 2004, the first HPAI virus was isolated in the state of Kelantan, Malaysia. From that time to July 2005, 35 HPAI viruses were isolated from at least 12 localities from this state. The pathogenicities of the isolated viruses were determined by cleavage site sequencing and intravenous IVPI index.

Nine viruses were from village ducks and 26 others were from village chickens. These viruses have been characterised and found to belong to genotype Z i.e. similar to the most recent H5N1 isolates of Thailand and Vietnam.

Besides others, the M gene contains Asn (31) a mutation associated with amantadine resistance, also as in most recent H5N1 viruses from Thailand and Vietnam.

The Malaysian viruses have been predicted to have affinity for avian rather than human cell receptors. One marker identified that can differentiate between HPAI infecting humans and those that do not, lies in the PB2 gene. The HPAI infecting humans in Thailand and Vietnam have been reported to have a Lys (627) on the PB2 gene. The Malaysian viruses, however, possessed Glu (^27) on the PB2 gene.

Effective risk management tools and measures exist in Malaysia to control the outbreaks of HPAI that occurred in Malaysia in 2004. The management measures include culling of infected and exposed or in-contact poultry, active surveillance or poultry within the 20 km radius of the focus of infection and continuous visual surveillance for signs of disease and mortalities in the field in poultry and pigs.

The report by Malaysia of infection with H5N1 brought the total number of countries infected with an H5N1 to ten.With increasing reports of HPAI infecting humans in Thailand and Vietnam, the possibility and risk of these viruses entering Malaysia via smuggled infected poultry, migratory and wild birds and infected humans are therefore very high. This paper discusses the risk management of measures involving virus entry into the country, vaccination strategies, capabilities and capacities of Malaysian laboratories.

 

[kiwibird]

Re: Malaysia Susp"t Meningitis 450 Quarantined

Re: Malaysia Susp"t Meningitis 450 Quarantined

http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking+News/SE+Asia/Story/STIStory_374916.html
May 10, 2009
M'sia quarantines 450
KUALA LUMPUR - NEARLY 450 people have been quarantined at a training academy in Malaysia after meningitis killed one student and sent 19 others to the hospital, an official said on Sunday.

Hasan Abdul Rahman, a senior Health Ministry official, said all 334 trainees and 115 staff were quarantined at a traffic officer training academy in southern Malacca state over the weekend.

A trainee in his 20s died from the highly contagious disease Monday, Hasan said. He said the other 19 hospitalized trainees are responding well to the treatment for bacterial meningitis.

He said the situation was under control but that everyone would remain under quarantine for at least five more days. Health officials are also checking on others who have come in contact with the trainees, he said.

Meningitis, which can be caused by a virus or bacteria, is an infection of the fluid that surrounds the spinal cord and brain.

Symptoms include fever, headache and joint aches. -- AP

 

[kiwibird]

Re: Malaysia Suspt'd Meningitis 450 Quarantined

Re: Malaysia Suspt'd Meningitis 450 Quarantined

http://www.starbulletin.com/news/20090509_Swine_flu_case_confirmed_at_UH.html
May 10, 2009 18:00 PM

Patients Receiving Treatment Showing Positive Response - Health DG

KUALA LUMPUR, May 10 (Bernama) -- All 19 patients receiving treatment at the Melaka Hospital are responding positively to treatment said Director general of Health Tan Sri Dr Mohd Ismail Merican.

He added that three of them were warded at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) while 16 others were receiving treatment at an isolated ward.

Dr Mohd Ismail said a medical team comprising a medical officer and four nurses are also stationed at the Melaka JPJ Academy in Tiang Dua, to monitor 334 trainees.

"Anybody who showed signs or symptoms will be referred to the Melaka Hospital for treatment," he said in a statement today.

He said initial clinical tests on samples revealed that the outbreak is known as Meningococcal Meningitis.

Measures taken are symptomatic treatment for each patient and referral to the hospital, Prophylaxis antibiotic treatment for trainees, academic staff and health staff involved, isolating patients at the hospital and the academy as well as checking the academy's surroundings, he said.

"Preventive and control measures will continue until the situation returns to normal," he said.

 

[Treyfish]

Re: Malaysia Suspt'd Meningitis 450 Quarantined

Re: Malaysia Suspt'd Meningitis 450 Quarantined

update: May 10, 2009 17:48

廖中萊：​

Liao in Levin:

腦膜炎與A型流感無關​

Meningitis has nothing to do with the A-type influenza

（吉隆坡10日訊）衛長廖中萊證實侵襲甲陸路交通局學院的病症為腦膜炎，與A型流感無關，並將明日公布病菌類型。​

(Kuala Lumpur hearing on the 10th) Liao Wei Lai confirmed in a land invasion of the disease for the Transportation Institute of meningitis, has nothing to do with the A-type influenza, and the type of bacteria to be released tomorrow. :tiphat:http://64.233.169.132/translate_c?h...le.com&usg=ALkJrhhy8L05AQ8a54OPI149Y6fCGcJ2Hw

 

[Treyfish]

Re: Malaysia Suspt'd Meningitis 450 Quarantined

Re: Malaysia Suspt'd Meningitis 450 Quarantined

The participants of another hospital pay cut contact with the outside world

（馬六甲10日訊）腦膜炎案例再增，一名相信是來自陸路交通局訓練學院的學員，被送入甲中央醫院接受治療，當場被隔離。​

(Malacca hearing on the 10th) meningitis cases to increase, a land believed to be from students of the training school of the Transportation Bureau, was sent to a central hospital for treatment, the spot was isolated.

隨著本月初一名來自陸路交通局訓練學院，疑感染腦膜炎逝世，另有19名學員已被送往甲中央醫院接受治療及隔離，其中3人在加護病房接受治療，衛生局為安全起見，將該院453名師生隔離。​

One from the beginning of this month with the Department of Transportation land Training School, the death of suspected meningococcal infection, and another 19 students have been sent to a central hospital for treatment and isolation, of which 3 were in the intensive care unit for treatment, health authorities from a safe See, 453 teachers and students will be the isolation hospital.

醫生須全副武裝​

Doctors to be fully armed

今午12時30分，一名相信是來自該院的學員，被阿依摩力診療所的救護車，送往甲中央醫院。​

This afternoon, 12:30, one believed to be students from the hospital, the clinic Moli Aida ambulance and sent to a central hospital.

有關救護車一抵達醫院時，馬上被隔離在緊急室旁的臨時隔離室。​

One of the ambulance arrived at the hospital, was immediately isolated in an emergency room next to the temporary isolation room.

醫務人員直接把救護車駕入臨時隔離室，完全不讓有關男子與外界接觸。​

Medical staff directly to the ambulance drive to the temporary isolation room, the man not allowed contact with the outside world.

不管是醫務人員或是公眾，皆不允許靠近臨時隔離室，進入臨時隔離室的醫生，必須?全副武裝?，為疑受感染男子仔細檢查。​

Whether medical personnel or the public, are not allowed near the temporary isolation room, enter the temporary isolation room physician, must be "fully armed" for the man suspected of being infected with double-check.

站在醫院最前線的緊急室醫務人員接到指示，凡有病人前來就醫，首要注意病人是否感冒或發燒，然后優先處理有發燒或感冒的病人，同時，為有關病人提供口罩。​

Standing on the front line of the hospital's emergency room medical staff have been directed to patients who come for medical treatment, the primary attention to whether the patient is cold or fever, and then giving priority treatment of patients with fever or flu at the same time, a mask for the patient.

前往醫院採訪的記者，也必須戴上口罩，以免受到細菌感染。​

Journalists went to the hospital, it must wear a mask to prevent infection by the bacteria.

此外，記者也嘗試詢問甲中央醫院院長有關腦膜炎進展，惟后者不願接見記者，通過醫院保安人員轉話，要求記者向甲州衛生局主任卡查禮醫生詢問。​

In addition, a reporter tried to Central Hospital of the progress of meningitis, but the latter declined to meet reporters, security personnel through the hospital, then transferred to require a reporter to the director of the state Health Department asked the doctor katcha ceremony. :tiphat:http://64.233.169.132/translate_c?h...le.com&usg=ALkJrhj7xgcRNXGn6pRxvHA-UxWUgf6kEQ

 

[Treyfish]

Re: Malaysia Suspt'd Meningitis 450 Quarantined

Re: Malaysia Suspt'd Meningitis 450 Quarantined

Photo News Update: May 10, 2009 17:33

腦膜炎疫情不阻國內外遊客暢遊古城！​

Meningitis epidemic domestic and foreign tourists do not want to dwell tour the ancient city!

隨著官方宣佈，甲州發現疑是腦膜炎的病例后，市民皆對此事感到草木皆兵，擔心疫情一發不可收拾，帶來深遠的影響。​

With the official announcement, the state found a suspected case of meningitis, the public was草木皆兵on the matter are worried that the disease got out of hand, have far-reaching implications.

古城著名旅游勝地──紅屋，10日如常聚滿來自國內外的遊客，腦膜炎未打擊遊客遊甲的信心。​

─ ─ resort city famous red house, over on the 10th as usual poly tourists from home and abroad, not the fight against meningitis A Tour of the confidence of tourists.:tiphat:http://translate.google.com/transla...napress.com.my/&sl=zh-CN&tl=en&history_state0=

 

[kiwibird]

Re: Malaysia Suspt'd Meningitis 450 Quarantined

Re: Malaysia Suspt'd Meningitis 450 Quarantined

Please note news source.

http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/state_news/news.php?id=410143&cat=ct

Central Region News
(excluding Federal Territory)
May 10, 2009 22:32 PM

Diplococci Bacteria Causing Meningitis In Melaka

MELAKA, May 10 (Bernama) -- The Health Ministry has identified the diplococci bacteria to have caused meningitis to trainees of the Road Transport Department (JPJ) Academy in Tiang Dua, here, resulting in one death last week.

Its minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said that until 2pm today, 20 trainees were warded at Melaka Hospital, comprising two at its intensive-care unit and 18 at the isolation ward.

He said six new patients were warded at the same hospital yesterday evening and one today.

"However, we believe the bacterial infection can be controlled with the preventive and rehabilitative measures taken by Melaka Hospital," he said after visiting the patients at the hospital, here, today.

Also present was Melaka Health director Dr Ghazali Othman.

Liow said the 93 JPJ Academy trainees quarantined were being closely observed by a seven-member special task force headed by a doctor for immediate measures to be taken in an emergency.

He said the trainees quarantined had been given ciprofloxacin, an antibiotic while those being treated at the hospital were given ceftnaxone to recover from the infection.

"I saw that the patients at the ICU and isolation ward were okay. The antibiotics given seemed to be working and they (patients) would need seven days of treatment before the next step."

He said residents, especially in Tiang Dua, should not panic over the meningitis situation as the infection could only be spread by droplets when the carrier coughed or sneezed within a one-metre range.

"The meningitis bacteria will not cause an uncontrollable epidemic," he assured.

Liow said samples of the diplococci bacteria had been sent to the microbiology laboratory in Sungai Buloh to ascertain the type as the bacteria had different strains.

"We are also investigating the source of the bacteria by obtaining samples from where the trainees had their practical training, namely in Pedas (Negeri Sembilan), Muar (Johor) and Bukit Katil (Melaka)."

He said all trainees and staff of the JPJ Academy in Tiang Dua were given antibiotics to control the spread of the meningitis bacterial infection.

"I also hope that the public do not speculate on the meningitis infection which has no connection with the influenza A(H1N1) pandemic," he added.

-- BERNAMA

Everything Wikipedia has on the bacterium

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diplococci

Diplococcus
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Diplococci)
Jump to: navigation, search

A diplococcus (plural diplococci) is a round bacterium (a coccus) that typically occurs in pairs of two joined cells. Examples are Streptococcus pneumoniae, Moraxella catarrhalis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Neisseria meningitidis.

Its name comes from diplo, meaning double, and coccus, meaning berry. This is because berries are round, like a diplococcus, and diplococci come in pairs of two.

In former times, a bacterial genus Diplococcus was recognized, but it is not used anymore.
This bacteria-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.
[hide]
v • d • e
Microbiology: Bacteria
Pathogenic bacteria

Bacterial disease · Coley's Toxins · Exotoxin · Lysogenic cycle
Human flora

Gut flora · Skin flora · Vaginal flora
Substrate preference
Lipophilic · Saccharophilic
Oxygen preference
Aerobic (Obligate) · Anaerobic (Facultative, Obligate) · Microaerophile · Nanaerobe · Aerotolerant
Structures
Cell envelope

Cell membrane

Cell wall: Peptidoglycan (NAM, NAG, DAP)

Gram-positive bacteria only: Teichoic acid · Lipoteichoic acid · Endospore
Gram-negative bacteria only: Bacterial outer membrane (Porin, Lipopolysaccharide) · Periplasmic space
Outside envelope

Bacterial capsule · Slime layer · S-layer · Glycocalyx
Pilus · Fimbria
Composite

Biofilm
Shapes
Bacterial cellular morphologies · Coccus (Diplococcus) · Bacillus · Coccobacillus
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diplococcus"
Categories: Bacteria | Microbiology | Bacteria stubs

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ciprofloxacin

Ciprofloxacin
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
"Cipro" redirects here. For the Rome Metro station, see Cipro (Rome Metro).
Ciprofloxacin
Systematic (IUPAC) name
1-cyclopropyl- 6-fluoro- 4-oxo- 7-piperazin- 1-yl- quinoline- 3-carboxylic acid
Identifiers
CAS number 85721-33-1
......cont..
Metabolism Hepatic, including CYP1A2
Half life 4 hours
Excretion Renal
Therapeutic considerations
Pregnancy cat.

B3(AU) C(US)
Legal status

Prescription Only (S4)(AU) POM(UK)
Routes Oral, intravenous, topical (ear drops, eye drops)

Ciprofloxacin (INN) is a synthetic chemotherapeutic agent used to treat severe and life threatening bacterial infections. Ciprofloxacin is commonly referred to as a fluoroquinolone (or quinolone) drug and is a member of the fluoroquinolone class of antibacterials. Ciprofloxacin is marketed worldwide; with well over three hundred different brand names. Ciprofloxacin is marketed in the United States, Canada and the UK as: Ciloxan, Cipro, Cipro XR, Cipro XL Ciproxin and most recently, Proquin (Synonyms: Ciprofloxacin Hydrochloride). In Mexico it is available over the counter and marketed under the names Ciproflox or Ciprofloxacino. Additionally Ciprofloxacin is available as a generic drug under a variety of different brand names and is also available for limited use in veterinary medicine.

Ciprofloxacin was first patented in 1983 by Bayer A.G. and subsequently approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1987 to treat severe and life threatening bacterial infections.

The licensed uses for ciprofloxacin in the United States are quite limited as ciprofloxacin is to be considered a drug of last resort when all other antibiotics have failed. These consist of ten approved uses in the adult population and two approved uses in the pediatric population, as well as a variety of veterinary uses (as documented within the package inserts). Any other use is to be considered off label since it has not been approved by the FDA. Ciprofloxacin interacts with a number of other drugs, a number of herbal and natural supplements, and certain thyroid medications.[2]

 

[kiwibird]

Re: Malaysia Suspt'd Diplococci 450 Quarantined

Re: Malaysia Suspt'd Diplococci 450 Quarantined

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

You searched for ceftnaxone (all pages starting with "ceftnaxone" | all pages that link to "ceftnaxone")
Jump to: navigation, search
Did you mean: ceftriaxone
No article title matches

Further from Wikipedia on ciprofloxacin:

Susceptible bacteria
Aerobic gram-positive microorganisms
* Enterococcus faecalis (Many strains are only moderately susceptible.)
* Staphylococcus aureus (methicillin-susceptible strains only)
* Staphylococcus epidermidis (methicillin-susceptible strains only)
* Staphylococcus saprophyticus
* Streptococcus pneumoniae (penicillin-susceptible strains only)
* Streptococcus pyogenes.......

Also:
Due to growing prevalence of antibiotic resistance to the fluoroquinolones in southeast Asia, the use of Ciprofloxacin in patients who have been to southeast Asia is increasingly being contraindicated.[43]........

 

[kiwibird]

Re: Malaysia Suspt'd Diplococci 450 Quarantined

Re: Malaysia Suspt'd Diplococci 450 Quarantined

http://www.malaysianbar.org.my/lega..._jpj_academy_trainees_in_malacca_update4.html
Meningitis caused quarantine of JPJ academy trainees in Malacca (Update4) PDF Print E-mail
Sunday, 10 May 2009 09:38am
?The Star (Used by permission)
By TEH ENG HOCK and MARTIN CARVALHO

KUALA LUMPUR: Three Road Transport Department (JPJ) academy trainees in Tiang Dua, Malacca, have been warded in intensive care unit due to meningitis.

The three are in stable condition, while another nine are under observation at the Malacca general hospital after complaining of fever, headache and joint aches.

The remaining 340 trainees at the JPJ academy have been quarantined, although the 115 staff were allowed to return home.

Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said that the 23-year old trainee who died on May 4 might have contracted the disease in Kelantan.

?It is possible. The students went back to their hometown on May 1, and returned to the training centre on May 3. The trainee who died was from Kelantan,? he told reporters on Saturday.

After the first death, nine more trainees were warded on May 7 with one placed in the ICU.

The following day, four more cases were recorded with two trainees warded in the ICU.

Liow said that as the disease was caused by a bacteria, it was airborne but could be treated with antibiotics.

?Anyone with fever, headache and joint aches should see a doctor promptly as the disease is treatable if detected early,? he said.

He said a team, including a specialist, from the ministry had been sent down to Malacca to tackle the issue.

Meanwhile, JPJ has temporarily halted training courses at its Tiang Dua Academy.

Department director-general Solah Mat Hassan said training was halted and would only resume after the green light had been obtained from the health authorities.

A weekly review will be carried out to determine when training would resume following advise from the health authorities, he told reporters this after visiting several trainees who had been warded here at the Malacca Hospital.

He added that academy has set up a special operations room and a direct-line at 06-269 2666 for family members to get the latest information on situation here.

He said the situation was well under control and there was no need to panic.

?I am aware that parents are anxious and worried so we have also set up a special meeting area at the entrance of the academy for them to meet their children,? he said.

He added that visits would be limited and permitted to close family members only under supervision of the health authorities.

The trainees are those who enrolled for the academy?s three-month assistant enforcement officer training course on Mar 8 with their graduation fixed for June 1.

Also put on hold is the fresh intake of 215 trainees scheduled to begin their course this May 18.

The bacterial meningitis outbreak was detected on May 7 when nine trainees were referred to the hospital here for treatment following fever, coughing, cold, headaches and joint pains.

They were amongst the 300 over trainees who were broken up into three groups on April 27 for a two-day field training in Pedas, Negri Sembilan, Muar, Johor and Bukit Katil here.

The trainees were later given a Labor Day break before resuming training at the academy on May 3.

On May 4, 24-year-old trainee Mohd Hafiz Zainudin from Kota Baru, Kelantan succumbed to the infection while being rushed to the hospital here while another trainee from Penang was warded at the Bukit Mertajam Hospital.

Earlier, state health director Dr Ghazali Othman said that health authorities in Kelantan, Penang, Johor and Negeri Sembilan are currently carrying out investigations to determine the source of the infection.

He added that incubation period of the infection is between four to seven days with health authorities keeping a close watch on those quarantined for symptoms.

He said those warded for treatment have shown sign of improvement and recovery.

 

[kiwibird]

Re: Malaysia Suspt'd Diplococci 450 Quarantined

Re: Malaysia Suspt'd Diplococci 450 Quarantined

http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Monday/National/2553815/Article/index_html
2009/05/10
Meningitis outbreak contained

By : Jason Gerald John


<!-- AddThis Button BEGIN --> <script type="text/javascript">addthis_pub = 'nstonline';</script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/152/addthis_widget.js"></script> <!-- AddThis Button END -->
<!--start pix1--> <table align="center" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2"> <tbody><tr> <td class="caption" id="aphoto">

Some of the trainees receiving treatment for bacterial meningitis infection at Malacca Hospital yesterday.</td></tr> </tbody></table> <!--end pix1-->
MALACCA: The Health Ministry has confirmed that the trainees at the Road Transport Department Academy here were infected with bacterial meningitis.
<!--start pix2 & pix3--> <table align="right" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="3" width="200"> </table> <!--end pix2 & pix3--> However, Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said there was no cause for alarm as the patients had been isolated.

"Moreover, the infection can be spread only through coughing or sneezing within a one-metre radius of an infected person.

"I can confirm that it is not the Influenza A (H1N1) virus.

"Although the spread of the bacteria was abnormal, as it was quick in infecting the trainees, the situation is under control," he said after visiting the trainees at Malacca Hospital.
<center><!-- start video--> <!-- end video--> </center> Seven trainees who were in isolation at the academy were moved to the hospital after they developed fever.

Six of the seven were admitted on Saturday evening and one was rushed to the hospital's isolation ward yesterday.

There are now a total of 18 trainees in the hospital's isolation ward and two in the intensive care unit.

Liow said the trainee admitted to the Kepala Batas Hospital, Penang, had been placed in isolation and was showing signs of improvement.

Ninety-three other trainees are in the academy's isolation room.

Another 241 trainees and 80 staff have been placed in quarantine at the academy.

"The trainees at the hospital have been administered with the ceftriaxone antibiotic and all of them are responding well to the medication.

As a result, one of the three trainees in ICU has been moved to the isolation ward.

"I commend Malacca Hospital staff for their prompt action which enabled us to identify the bacteria -- gram negative diplococci.

"We are now in the midst of identifying the specific typing of the bacteria.

"Samples taken from the trainees have been sent to Sungai Buloh Hospital's microbiology lab.

It takes between 14 and 18 hours for the typing to be determined."

A doctor and six medical staff have been placed at the academy.

An ambulance is on 24-hour standby to move trainees to the hospital.

"We have taken all the necessary preventive and rehabilitation measures and the situation is confined to the academy.

"The trainees at the hospital need to undergo treatment for seven days with a daily dosage of ceftriaxone before they are fully recovered."

Liow said the source of the infection had yet to be determined and the ministry had sent its teams to Muar (Johor), Pedas (Negri Sembilan) and Bukit Katil (Malacca).

"No new cases have been reported, including from family members of the trainee, Mohd Hafiz Zainuddin, who died last Monday because of the infection."

On Monday, Hafiz developed symptoms such as head and muscle aches, stomach cramps, fatigue, cough, nausea and shivering. He died on the way to Malacca Hospital.

On Thursday, 13 other trainees were taken to hospital after developing similar symptoms.

 

[kiwibird]

Re: Malaysia Suspt'd Diplococci 450 Quarantined

Re: Malaysia Suspt'd Diplococci 450 Quarantined

May 11, 2009 15:12 PM
http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v5/newsindex.php?id=410220
More Warded For Suspected Meningitis

KUALA LUMPUR, May 11 (Bernama) -- The number of Road Transport Department (JPJ) trainees admitted to the isolation ward of the Melaka Hospital for suspected meningitis has increased to 29 while another two trainees still remained in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said today that there were 11 new cases reported this morning after they complained of the symptoms.

However, the conditions of all those hospitalised were stable and they would remain under observation for a week.

Speaking to reporters after presenting the MS ISO 9001:2000 certificate to Tung Shin Hospital here, Liow said the Health Department would need at least another two days to determine the sub-type of the bacteria responsible for the outbreak.

He said the incubation of the bacteria since 2am on Saturday at the Sungai Buloh Microbiology Centre could not produce any results as yet.

"Normally the process will take about 16 hours. But it seems that we may need a longer time to incubate the samples we collected from the three localities suspected to cause the outbreak," he said.

Yesterday, the Health Ministry confirmed that the outbreak at the JPJ Academy in Tiang Dua, Melaka, was caused by the diplococci bacteria.

Liow said the outbreak was successfully contained after it was detected on May 7 although 449 trainees and staff of the academy were still under quarantine.

To date, a trainee, Mohd Hafiz Zainudin, 24, from Kota Baharu, has died of the infection.

-- BERNAMA