Re: Malaysia: Melioidosis in four areas

[kiwibird]

Re: Malaysia:Leptospirosis Melioidosis - 148 believe to have contracted the diseases

Re: Malaysia:Leptospirosis Melioidosis - 148 believe to have contracted the diseases

Rescue team member dies of bacterial infection
By ROSLINA MOHAMAD


KUANTAN: A member of a Fire and Rescue Department team involved in the search-and-rescue operation to locate a drowning victim in Lubuk Yu, Maran, early this month, died after being infected with two different strains of bacteria.

Mohd Nor Abidin Ismail, 50, who was attached with the Jengka Fire and Rescue station, died at the Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Hospital in Temerloh at 3.11am Tuesday, after being infected by the melioidiosis and leptospirosis.

Leptospirosis is present in rat urine while melioidosis is a water- and earth-borne bacteria.

State Local Government, Environment and Health Committee chairman Datuk Hoh Khai Mun said Mohd Nor Abidin had also suffered from diabetes and his condition was reported to have gradually worsened.

He added that Mohd Nor was one of the six people still warded following the incident.

Two other victims were in hospitals in Temerloh and Jengka and one in Selayang Hospital, Selangor, he said.

"The patient in Selayang Hopsital is still undergoing treatment and has shown signs of improvement.

"The other patients are also reported to be in stable condition," he added.

On July 10, the Lubuk Yu recreational area was closed to the public after six people died while 83 others contracted leptospirosis after taking part in the operation to find a drowned man in the area, between June 26 and 30.

The dead were Zakaria Ayub, 52, Azizam Abdullah, 58, Timothy Hoo Seng Heng, 29, Zainal Abidin Ismail, 56, Lim Sin Lai, 55, and Mohd Ali Abdullah, 60.

The body of the drowned man, Mohd Azhar Azizam, 28, was recovered on June 30.
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/7/27/nation/20100727140136&sec=nation

 

[kiwibird]

Re: Malaysia:Leptospirosis Melioidosis - 148 believe to have contracted the diseases

Re: Malaysia:Leptospirosis Melioidosis - 148 believe to have contracted the diseases

Tuesday July 27, 2010
Recreational forest to receive go ahead for reopening
By NIK NAIZI HUSIN
niknaizi@thestar.com.my


MARAN: The Lubuk Yu recreational forest which was closed to the public following the death of six rescuers early this month, is expected to be reopened on July 28.

Pahang Health Department director Datuk Dr Rosnah Ismail said however the opening would depend on whether there were more deaths as the other rescuers were recovering after being infected by two different strains of bacteria at the recreational area.

The six who died within a week after taking part in the search and rescue operation of a drowning victim in the Lubuk Yu recreational forest near here were found to have been infected by the two different strains of bacteria ? leptospirosis and melioidosis.


Earth samples: Two officers from Veterinary DepoartmentrightA)) and colleuge showing the sample of earth taken in Lubuk Yu area.

Dr Rosnah said the incubation period for both strains of bacteria was 28 days hence July 28 was the deadline to ensure the victims had fully recovered.

?If there are more deaths within this period, then we have to step up efforts to carry out checks, studies and research at the site.

?If there are no new death cases, then we will consider the case closed,? said Dr Rosnah at the cleaning operation conducted at the Lubuk Yu area recently.

Fifty-three personnel from the Health Department, Wildlife and National Parks Department, Veterinary Services Department, Maran district council, Water Supply Department and International Islamic University undergraduates took part in the operation.

All wore self-protection suits during the cleaning up including newsmen from The Star, Bernama, Sinar Harian and Berita Harian.

Also present were Maran MP Datuk Ismail Abdul Mutalib and Kuala Sentul assemblyman Datuk Shahaniza Shamsuddin.

Dr Rosnah said samples taken on July 9 showed that five earth samples and three water samples contained leptospirosis (which is present in rat urine) while other samples contained both bacteria of melioidosis and leptospirosis bacteria.

Dr Rosnah said of the 20 suspected cases, six cases were confirmed to have been affected by the melioidosis (earth bacteria), four were affected by both bacterias and nine cases were negative while one is still awaiting the medical report.

Dr Rosnah said the findings of the samples and studies conducted would be submitted to the state disaster committee led by state secretary Datuk Muhammad Safian Ismail for further action.

Early this month, six villagers who were rescuers in an operation of a drowning case in Lubuk Yu died within a week and were confirmed to have to be affected by the bacterias - leptospirosis and melioidosis.

The dead were identified as Zakaria Ayub, 52, Azizam Abdullah, 58, Timothy Hoo Seng Heng, 29, Zainal Abidin Ismail, 56, Lim Sin Lai, 55, and Mohd Ali Abdullah, 60.

The six were among 83 people comprising 56 search and rescue personnel and 27 villagers who were involved in an operation to look for drowning victim Mohd Azhar Azizam, 28, between June 26 and 30.

Mohd Azhar?s body was recovered on June 30.
http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2010/7/27/southneast/6736847&sec=southneast

 

[kiwibird]

Re: Malaysia:Leptospirosis Melioidosis - 148 believe to have contracted the diseases

Re: Malaysia:Leptospirosis Melioidosis - 148 believe to have contracted the diseases

Another fireman infected
2010/07/29

Share | KUANTAN: A 30-year-old fireman involved in a rescue operation at the Lubuk Yu waterfall last month became the latest victim to be warded.
State Health Committee chairman Datuk Hoh Khai Mun said the man, attached to the Temerloh Fire and Rescue Department, was warded at the Sultan Ahmad Shah Hospital on Tuesday.

He said the man was part of the search team for a drowning victim on June 26 where seven of them, including the father of the victim, later died of melioidosis and leptospirosis infections.


On Tuesday, a 50-year-old fireman from Jerantut, died of coronary heart attack caused by diabetes and septicaemia attributed to the infections.



Read more: Another fireman infected http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/05tan/Article#ixzz0v0PWiKa6


More info on the same case

July 28, 2010 20:30 PM

Another Rescuer May Be Infected With Melioidosis

KUANTAN, July 28 (Bernama) -- Another rescuer involved with the drowning rescue operation at Lubuk Yu, Maran last month, may be the latest victim of melioidosis and leptospirosis.

State Exco for Health Datuk Hoh Khai Mun said the 30 year-old fireman was on Tuesday admitted to Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Hospital, Temerloh with fever.

"He went to hospital on July 8 for a backache but was on Tuesday warded with fever. Blood samples had been taken for examination," he told a press conference here Wednesday.

Seven people had died due to the bacteria while four are being treated at Jengka Hospital, one at Temerloh hospital and one at Selayang Hospital, Selangor.

On dengue fever, Hoh said the state health department had identified six areas as epidemic zones in Pahang.

They are Taman LKNP Maju Sekilau, Taman Tas, Taman Orkid Kubang Buaya, Taman Beserah, Taman Hong Seng Galing (all in Kuantan district) and Batu 14 (Raub).

He said the health department had conducted fogging and search and destroy operation against aedes mosquitoes.

Pahang recorded 838 dengue cases in the first seven months compared to 568 cases for the corresponding period last year, a rise of 47.5 percent.

Kuantan had the highest number with 480 followed by Temerloh (85), Rompin (60), Bentong (48), Maran (40), Raub (33), Jerantut (27), Lipis (24), Bera (23), Pekan (17) and Cameron Highlands (1).

-- BERNAMA
http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v5/newsgeneral.php?id=517167

 

[kiwibird]

Re: Malaysia:Leptospirosis Melioidosis - 148 believe to have contracted the diseases

Re: Malaysia:Leptospirosis Melioidosis - 148 believe to have contracted the diseases

This may involve one of the reporters monitoring the clean up

Updated : July 28, 2010 21:04


Deadly falls
By a suspected case
Consumer rescue workers in stable condition
( 28 Kuantan AP) land kills suspected cases of cloth the right waterfall to add more a disease , as of today a total of 22 !
Pahang Local Government , Environment and Hygiene Committee chairman Datuk He Qiwen said yesterday added a new case , a 30 -year-old member of the news yesterday was sent to save the Central Hospital Temerloh , was placed in ordinary wards , Though there are still a fever today , but in stable condition.

He said yesterday there are an additional card in the discharged hospital patients , in which 22 suspected cases, seven deaths , four were still in hospital in the (2 additional cards in the hospital , a hospital in Temerloh And 1 in Selayang Hospital , and transferred from the intensive care unit to a general ward ) .

Matters set up the spread of

He said today in the Pahang state government office building , in Pengzhou , accompanied by Health Secretary拿督罗斯娜, held a news conference when , in the case said .

He said that the new month on the 7th patient had sought treatment for illness , and afterwards recovered , and was not admitted to hospital again on the 24th of this month , so we can not determine whether the mice diabetes .

"One of 21 patients were test results , six have been confirmed infected with melioidosis (Melioidosis), and another four were confirmed melioidosis and leptospirosis (Leptospirosis), 9宗were negative and the other two laboratories The results are not baked . "

On the other hand , he also said that Health has set up a technical team , and will study the spread of the two bacteria issues .

" When our research is completed, the results will be released to the public , as to land the right fabric Falls will be open , we still need time to observe before they can be declared . "

Meanwhile , Roseanne said , Sungai Kuantan Health has shut down cable a kindergarten, because the hospital 's 16 students , 5 of whom suffer from hand, foot and mouth disease .

"The kindergarten has to close to 22 this month, 30 this month ....

http://chinapress.com.my/content_new.asp?dt=2010-07-29&sec=local&art=0729le05.txt

 

[kiwibird]

Re: Malaysia:Melioidosis in three areas

Re: Malaysia:Melioidosis in three areas

July 29, 2010 22:10 PM

Special Team To Study Melioidosis, Leptospirosis Bacterial Mortality

KUANTAN, July 29 (Bernama) -- A special team will be formed to study the mortality of the melioidosis and leptospirosis bacteria, especially in the three high-risk areas of Pahang.

State Local Government, Environment and Health Committee chairman Datuk Hoh Khai Mun said from reports by the medical specialists, the three areas were Jerantut, Lipis and Maran which had experienced the disease outbreaks before.
"The state government has agreed to form a committee through the Health Department to undertake a comprehensive study on the bacterial mobility in the areas at risk," he said after presenting awards for the school-level recycling campaign by F&N Beverages and the Kuantan Municipal Council, here Thursday.

Hoh said the team would be joined by an expert on bacteria from the International Islamic University Malaysia.

He said the findings of the study would enable the state government to take early precautionary measures to prevent a recurrence of the disease outbreak.

However, he added, the special team would only begin work after the situation in the Lubuk Yu recreational forest in Maran returned to normal.

Hoh said so far, seven among several people involved in a search and rescue operation to look for a man drowned in the waterfall area had died after they contracted melioidosis and leptospirosis.

Newspapers on Thursday reported that a 15-year-old from Bentong had died on July 21 from melioidosis infection after he had a cut on his left knee in a game of football at a school field in the district.

However, the death of the teenager, Ng Wai Kin, who was also diabetic, was reported to have no connection with the cases in Lubuk Yu as he had never been to the area.

Hoh advised the public not to panic, but said those at high risk especially diabetics, should seek immediate treatment if they have symptoms of the two diseases.

He said all those who died from the diseases so far, had been confirmed to have diabetes.

-- BERNAMA
http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v5/newsgeneral.php?id=517523

 

[alert]

Re: Malaysia: Melioidosis in three areas

Re: Malaysia: Melioidosis in three areas

http://www.flutrackers.com/forum/showthread.php?p=364721&posted=1#post364721

The thread linked above indicates two imported cases of Leptospirosis confirmed in Hong Kong with onset dates of July 3 and 12.

No inidcation of any links to Lubuk Yu yet.

 

[alert]

Re: Malaysia: Leptospirosis and Melioidosis outbreaks - June 26, 2010+

Re: Malaysia: Leptospirosis and Melioidosis outbreaks - June 26, 2010+

And we have a new leptospirosis outbreak. Up to the mods how to handle this, but I suggest renaming this thread and officially putting all outbreaks of those two diseases in Malaysia into this thread, as that seems to be what we are doing here anyway.

http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v5/newsgeneral.php?id=517769

Bakun Worker In Hospital For Suspected Leptospirosis

KUCHING, July 30 (Bernama) -- Sarawak Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan Friday confirmed that a 46-year-old man had been admitted to Bintulu Hospital for suspected leptospirosis but said there was no outbreak of the disease in the Bakun area.

Dr Chan, who is also Sarawak Disaster Relief Committee chairman, said the patient, who was believed to be a Chinese national working at the Bakun hydro-electric dam project site, was in serious condition.

"As far as I know, there is no outbreak and I have checked the medical report from the Health Department to ensure there is no panic in the Bakun area because even though leptospirosis is not on the list of notifiable diseases, the administrative notification was implemented in Sarawak in 2003," he told a news conference at his office in Petra Jaya, here.

He described as not true a recent report by a news portal that nine workers had died from the disease which had infected about 50 workers in the past year after they were purportedly exposed to the bacteria (leptospirae) during ground drilling.

He said there were three positive cases, including two deaths, in Lubuk Antu and Bintulu out of the 36 admitted to hospital for suspected leptospirosis so far this year. Five of the cases showed up negative and the rest were awaiting results of tests, he added.

Fourteen of the suspected cases were from Bintulu while the rest were from Sibu (eight), Miri (four), Kuching and Kapit (three each), Saratok and Sarikei (two each), and Sri Aman and Lubok Antu (one each).

Last year, 157 people were admitted to government hospitals throughout Sarawak for leptospirosis but no fatalities were reported, he said.

In a lot of cases, he said, the water-borne disease, which could be found in cattle, pigs, horses, dogs, rodents and wild animals, infected bare-footed farmers who contracted it from the soil contaminated by the urine of the infected animals.

He said the cases in Sarawak suffered from the same disease which earlier this month killed six people who had taken part in a search-and-rescue operation for a drowned victim in Lubuk Yu, Pahang.

-- BERNAMA


We provide (subscription-based)
news coverage in our Newswire service.


Back Top

 

[kiwibird]

Re: Malaysia: Melioidosis in three areas

Re: Malaysia: Melioidosis in three areas

This older article suggests that some of the cases of leptospirosis may have been from contaminated food. If this were the case, anyone presenting with leptospirosis could have just eaten somewhere on the mainland.

Thursday July 15, 2010
Closure of dirty shops leaves bad aftertaste Phee: Caller asked me to buy up outlet?s food prepared for three days
By DERRICK VINESH


A FORMER Seberang Prai Municipal Council (MPSP) councillor has apparently ticked off state Health, Welfare, Caring Society and Environment Committee chairman Phee Boon Poh for being inconsiderate in the recent closure of six food outlets deemed dirty by the local authorities.

Revealing this, Phee said he received a call from the individual after news broke out about the closure.

?The former councillor claimed that one of the outlets had prepared food for three days and asked if I was willing to buy all of it from the operator. I told him that the state Health Department can allow the outlet to reopen if the owner or operator cleans up his premises in three days,? Phee said after accompanying 64 enforcement officers from the state Public Health authorities on an operation to check 28 restaurants on the mainland.

The eight-hour joint operation between the council and health authorities was codenamed ?Ops Tutup II?.

Phee said the state had given all food outlets in Penang a grace period of one year through three approaches of awareness, education and warnings before they proceeded to enforce the law.

Phee said six villagers in Pahang died recently after they were infected by two different strains of bacteria ? leptospirosis and melioidosis.


Penang Health Department enforcement officer (right) placing a notice of closure at a nasi kandar restaurant in Butterworth, Penang yesterday. Looking on are Penang exco Phee Boon Poh (second left) with MPSP councillor Oon Neow Aun (left).
Leptospirosis is present in rat urine while melioidosis is a water and earth-borne bacteria.

?These are social and health issues, not political. It is time that we protected the interest of the consumers,? he said.

MPSP councillor Soon Lip Chee said the six outlets comprised those serving economy rice, nasi kandar, tomyam and nasi melayu.

Apart from not observing basic hygienic practices, he said, the restaurants which were temporarily closed, had rat urine, rat droppings, cockroaches and flies in their premises.

Soon said 30 compounds worth RM5,460 were issued to the errant restaurant operators during the operation.

 

[kiwibird]

Re: Malaysia: Melioidosis in three areas

Re: Malaysia: Melioidosis in three areas

The information we have about the dam project refers mainly to melioidosis.

Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan Hong Nam, who is State Disaster Relief Committee chairman, said he had not received any information of nine workers in Bakun dying from melioidosis and leptospirosis (caused by rat urine bacteria) infection or that 50 other workers had contracted the disease while working at the site.

?Someone had asked me about this. Personally, I have not received any information from the health authorities about such deaths or of a disease outbreak in Bakun,? he told The Star yesterday.

?A few years ago, there were one or two cases of melioidosis but recently, no such cases were reported. There is no cover-up.? Dr Chan said there had been no major disease outbreak in Bakun or any major fatalities caused by the rat-borne disease.

http://www.flutrackers.com/forum/showthread.php?t=150217

As we have only speculation about the alleged cover-up this is probably best discussed in the deliberation room.
It might be sensible to split this thread. The leptospirosis and melioidosis outbreaks have been lumped together in press statements but the sources of the outbreaks might indeed be completely different. It should become apparent in the next week or so. I will talk to Sally. Thanks everyone.

 

[alert]

Re: Malaysia: Melioidosis in three areas

Re: Malaysia: Melioidosis in three areas

This older article suggests that some of the cases of leptospirosis may have been from contaminated food. If this were the case, anyone presenting with leptospirosis could have just eaten somewhere on the mainland.

.

Both leptospirosis and meliodosis are endemic in Malaysia - there is nothing surprising that both illnesses are being reported, especially after the incident at Lubuk Yu. Rats and soil are both found all over Malaysia, and in fact in much of Southeast Asia in general. And while the article you cite from the other thread mentions melioidosis at the dam, the one in post #47 mentions only leptospirosis.

I agree that the structure of this thread presents a real challenge, and that splitting this thread would be very difficult.

As far as speculation, I'm a bit confused. I know we don't (or at least shouldn't ) post our own speculation in a news thread, but I was under the impression that an article that indicates the speculation of someone directly involved in an outbreak or that of a relevant authority was allowed.

 

[kiwibird]

Re: Malaysia: Melioidosis in three areas

Re: Malaysia: Melioidosis in three areas

The post in #47 is from Bernama - the official news site. It was addressing speculation elsewhere and may have been reticent to add the concerns about melioidosis. Deliberation room is probably best for unconfirmed speculation and discussion about it. I like to have confirmation from at least one other source before I post as news, just my opinion - not a policy that I know of. Thanks Alert - I will start a new thread specifically for leptospirosis in Malaysia.

 

[kiwibird]

Re: Malaysia: Melioidosis in three areas

Re: Malaysia: Melioidosis in three areas

Suspected cases of life-threatening disease events remain Falls 22
(31 Kuantan AP) land kills suspected cases of cloth to keep the right falls ill in 22 cases, there are still three people in hospital.
Pahang Local Government, Environment and Hygiene Committee chairman Datuk He Qiwen said that as of 9:00 this morning, there is no appearance of new cases, 3 were still in hospital, (1 additional card in the hospital, 1 in the Temerloh Hospital and 1 in Selayang Hospital, 29 this month from the intensive care unit patients transferred to general ward today due to aspiration pneumonia "Aspiration pneumonia" and once again returned to the intensive care unit).

。 He said today by sending an SMS, so that when the statement issued.

He said the other two were in stable condition.

"The number of patients in the observation is 15, returned home from the hospital."

He said, of which 21 cases were laboratory tests showed that six had been confirmed infected with melioidosis (Melioidosis), the other four confirmed cases of melioidosis and leptospirosis (Leptospirosis), 10 宗 negative and the other a laboratory The results are not baked. ? "
http://translate.google.com.my/tran...=en&cr=countryMY&sa=N&tbs=ctr:countryMY,qdr:d

 

[alert]

Re: Malaysia: Melioidosis in three areas

Re: Malaysia: Melioidosis in three areas

Suspected cases of life-threatening disease events remain Falls 22
(31 Kuantan AP) land kills suspected cases of cloth to keep the right falls ill in 22 cases, there are still three people in hospital.
Pahang Local Government, Environment and Hygiene Committee chairman Datuk He Qiwen said that as of 9:00 this morning, there is no appearance of new cases, 3 were still in hospital, (1 additional card in the hospital, 1 in the Temerloh Hospital and 1 in Selayang Hospital, 29 this month from the intensive care unit patients transferred to general ward today due to aspiration pneumonia "Aspiration pneumonia" and once again returned to the intensive care unit).

。 He said today by sending an SMS, so that when the statement issued.

He said the other two were in stable condition.

"The number of patients in the observation is 15, returned home from the hospital."

He said, of which 21 cases were laboratory tests showed that six had been confirmed infected with melioidosis (Melioidosis), the other four confirmed cases of melioidosis and leptospirosis (Leptospirosis), 10 宗 negative and the other a laboratory The results are not baked. ? "
http://translate.google.com.my/tran...=en&cr=countryMY&sa=N&tbs=ctr:countryMY,qdr:d

Those numbers don't quite add up. 22 cases, 7 deaths. So there are 15 still alive. If three are still in hospital, then only 12 have been discharged, not 15. Perhaps the 15 under observation "returned home" includes the three in hospital.

 

[kiwibird]

Re: Malaysia: Melioidosis in three areas

Re: Malaysia: Melioidosis in three areas

Sunday August 1, 2010
DCM: Bakun dam not to blame for rat-borne diseases
By STEPHEN THEN


MIRI: There is no conclusive evidence to link the clearing of more than 64,000 hectares of forests and land at the Bakun hydro-electric dam project site to the rat-borne diseases in Belaga town, the nearest urban centre to the dam, said Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan Hong Nam.

Dr Chan, who is State Disaster Relief Committee chairman, said though Belaga had been identified as a source of the recent melioidosis and leptospirosis cases, it could not be ascertained that the construction of the Bakun project triggered the diseases.

?It is endemic. Every now and then, we have two or three cases cropping up. It can pass from animal to animal but not from person to person.

?The source is water-borne and the bacteria is from rat urine,?? he told reporters here yesterday after launching an anti-dengue campaign.


Aedes buster: Chan (second from right) all geared up and ready to ?zap? a giant ?mosquito? during the launch of an anti-dengue campaign in Miri yesterday.
Dr Chan said the diseases were caused by bacteria and not virus.

?Bacteria can be tackled by antibodies,?? he said, adding that he was confident the infections were under control and not spreading.

A number of people in Belaga, including a district councillor, had been hospitalised in Bintulu due to the diseases in Belaga.

Dr Chan, however, stressed the infections were not at an outbreak stage.

Earlier, while launching the anti-dengue campaign, he said the state wanted a continuity of the gotong-royong projects to destroy mosquito-breeding grounds.

?It is a wrong perception that aedes mosquitoes are found only in dirty areas. Even in clean water, it can breed very fast. One female mosquito can lay up to 300 eggs every seven days.

?We need to tackle the problem fast before the rainy season starts,?? he said

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/8/1/nation/6776638&sec=nation

 

[kiwibird]

Re: Malaysia: Melioidosis in four areas

Re: Malaysia: Melioidosis in four areas

Although the previous post refers to "a number of people" in Belaga (near Bakun Dam) being admitted to hospital, this report refers to only one and confirms the patient is suspected to be ill with melioidosis"
Labourer warded for suspected meliodosis


August 2, 2010, Monday

SIBU: A labourer from Belaga was wheeled into the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Sibu Hospital for suspected meliodosis disease yesterday.
The 24-year-old from Belaga had earlier complained to his family about stomachache, headache and difficulty in breathing.

He was taken to the hospital in Kapit on Friday and admitted.

However, as his conditions did not improve, the hospital transferred him to Sibu.

The youth was admitted to Sibu Hospital at 3pm yesterday.
http://www.theborneopost.com/?p=54535

This report refers to leptospirosis but I am including it here because the town where the "outbreak" has occured is the same as the case above and that report quotes information from the hospital rather than politicians.

Partners: Berita Harian
Construction of dams is not the cause of leptospirosis
2010/08/02 08/02/2010

Miri: leptospirosis outbreak that infected people in Belaga recently did not have something to do with the construction of the Bakun dam project and the hydro electric dam project in northern Sarawak Murun.

He said the disease is spread through rat urine, and electrical construction of the Bakun hydro project and Murun no directly related to the disease. "Even though they are infected with HIV is detected on the two project workers involved in the dam, but it does not mean the construction of the project resulted in the spread of leptospirosis epidemic," he told reporters yesterday when commenting on the spread of the outbreak, which resulted in the death of the population reported in the area due to bacterial infection leptopirosis.

Recent, another 46 year-old man was treated at the hospital coma and Bintulu, is believed to have the same infection.

Dr Chan is also Chairman of the Sarawak Natural Disaster said, it is not fair to spread the claim construction of the hydroelectric project that resulted in the outbreak source.

However, he said, a team of officers from the Sarawak Health Department was ordered to investigate the transmission case in Belaga, with people in Belaga area are advised not to panic.
In this regard, he said, people are asked to ensure their homes clean at all times and one suffering from fever should seek immediate medical attention.

http://translate.google.com.my/tran...2SKPB_enNZ386&tbs=ctr:countryMY,qdr:d&prmd=vi

 

[kiwibird]

Re: Malaysia: Melioidosis in four areas

Re: Malaysia: Melioidosis in four areas

MELIOIDOSIS, LEPTOSPIROSIS OUTBREAK DECLARED OVER
Bernama - Wednesday, August 4SendIM StoryPrint.KUANTAN, Aug 3 (Bernama) -- The melioidosis and leptospirosis outbreak detected at the Lubuk Yu recreational forest in Maran has been declared over as there has been no report of any new case of infection.

State Local Government, Environment and Health Committee chairman Datuk Hoh Khai Mun said until July 28, there had been no new cases reported among those exposed to the diseases.

"Therefore, the disease oubreak is declared over as the longest incubation period for possible infection is 28 days after being exposed to the bacteria," he told reporters, here, today.

However, he said, the picnic area at the Lubuk Yu waterfall was still closed to the public to facilitate further investigation, evaluation and monitoring after cleansing of the area was carried out on July 22.

Hoh said the investigation and assessment of the risk level were being done by a small technical committee.

"The report until this morning stated that there were 22 suspected cases, of whom seven had died, while one case is still being treated at Sultan Ahmad Shah Hospital in Temerloh and another at Hospital Selayang, Selangor."

He said of the 22 cases, six were confirmed to be melioidosis, four cases of both melioidosis and leptospirosis infection, 11 cases found negative, and one case from whom samples were not taken and the person died at home.

On July 10, the Lubuk Yu picnic area was ordered to be closed to the public immediately after six people died while 83 people had leptospirosis bacterial infection.

All those infected were believed to have been involved in the search-and-rescue operation between June 26 and 30 for a man who had drowned at the waterfall area.

-- BERNAMA
http://malaysia.news.yahoo.com/bnm/20100803/tts-outbreak-ends-bm-993ba14.html

 

[kiwibird]

Re: Malaysia: Melioidosis in four areas

Re: Malaysia: Melioidosis in four areas

Full story here:http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/8/7/nation/6815325&sec=nation

Saturday August 7, 2010
Another rescue op volunteer dies of infection
By ROSLINA MOHAMAD and ANN TAN
newsdesk@thestar.com.my


KUANTAN: A volunteer in the search and rescue operation at Lubuk Yu in Maran in June has become the eighth person to die of complications related to the bacterial infection.

Mohd Faizal Hassan, 40, of Batu Caves, Selangor, died at 4.35pm at Selayang Hospital on Thursday.

He was infected with melioidosis, a water and earth-borne bacteria, and had been warded since July 1.

According to state Local Government, Environment and Health Committee chairman Datuk Hoh Khai Mun, the cause of death was due to massive cerebral haemorrhage with underlying melioidosis sepsis.

....




Hoh said similar cases had been reported in Penang where two men have been discharged while one died after being infected with leptospirosis after swimming in Lata Bayu, Baling, Kedah. The place is temporarily closed.

In ALOR SETAR, Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said three of the six people admitted to hospitals have been confirmed positive with leptospirosis.

?There are three cases in Yan Hospital with one confirmed positive, two in Sultan Abdul Halim Hospital in Sungai Petani with one positive case, and another one at the Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital in Alor Setar.

?These are isolated cases and we do not know the source of the disease,? he told reporters at the state MCA?s 33rd annual convention.

He said picnic spots in Kedah that were closed temporarily would only reopen after they were declared free of the disease, referring to those in Puncak Janing (Kuala Nerang), Lata Bayu and Bukit Wang (Kubang Pasu).

 

[Ronan Kelly]

Re: Malaysia: Melioidosis in four areas

Re: Malaysia: Melioidosis in four areas

Published: Saturday August 7, 2010 MYT 5:05:00 PM
Updated: Saturday August 7, 2010 MYT 5:57:20 PM
Report leptospirosis, melioidosis cases, says Liow
By NG SI HOOI


KUALA LUMPUR: Hospitals and clinics have been ordered to immediately report any case of leptospirosis or melioidosis bacterial infection following the death of ninth person related to the bacteria Thursday.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said immediate reporting of such cases to would enable the ministry to take swift action to control the spread of the bacteria .

?However, there is no need for the public to panic as the situation is under control. It can be wiped out if the public maintain the cleanliness and hygiene of their surrounding.

?The disease can be cured and we have the antibiotics for it,? he said after opening the International Conference on Chinese Kapitan Yap Ah Loy here yesterday.

Leptospirosis is present in rat urine while melioidosis is a water- and earth-borne bacteria.

On Thursday, a volunteer in the search and rescue operation for a drowning victim at Lubuk Yu in Maran, Pahang in June became the eighth victim to die of complications related to the bacterial infection.

Another victim died after being infected with leptospirosis after swimming in Lata Bayu, Baling, Kedah.

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/8/7/nation/20100807171146&sec=nation

 

[kiwibird]

Re: Malaysia: Melioidosis in four areas

Re: Malaysia: Melioidosis in four areas

Full Story: http://www.theborneopost.com/?p=57204
‘People confused about melioidosis and leptospirosis’


August 11, 2010, Wednesday

MIRI: Chairman of the State Natural Disaster and Relief Management Committee, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan admitted that there was some confusion among the people regarding two water-borne diseases — melioidosis and leptospirosis.
This has resulted in wrong facts being given to the Health Department and the media.

....

“I am not sure. I don’t have the latest report yet. At this point, I can’t tell whether there is any misdiagnosis and wrong administration of antibiotics on patients of either disease. I also hope that the media don’t confuse the people,” he said.

Dr Chan who is also a deputy chief minister was asked yesterday to comment on Malaysiakini report which claimed that misdiagnosis and confusion, wrong administration of antibiotics on melioidosis to leptospirosis had resulted in 71 patients admitted to state hospitals. These included those from the Bakun Hydro Electricity Project in Belaga.

....
Malaysiakini also reported that the state Health Department had confirmed that three people from Bakun had been admitted to hospital for melioidosis.

According to a letter sent through Chan’s office, as July 24, 71 patients suspected of the disease, were admitted to state hospitals this year.

..

Malaysiakini also reported that among other things, Chan had refuted Malaysiakini’s report quoting a human resources manager at the Bakun hydroelectric dam, who claimed that he knows of nine workers who had allegedly died from the disease in the past year.

This resulted in him providing confusing report to Bernama, a national news agency.

..

 

[kiwibird]

Re: Malaysia: Melioidosis in four areas

Re: Malaysia: Melioidosis in four areas

Residents come to grips with rat borne diseases


by Peter Boon
August 16, 2010, Monday




SIBU: Barely digesting the facts about leptospirosis, hard-pressed locals have Meliodosis to add to their vocabulary.

Dr Hu Chang Hock
Following the news about the passing of a labourer from Belaga suspected of Meliodosis, some concerned residents had contacted The Borneo Post to shed more light on the disease.

Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) Sibu Sub-Branch advisor Dr Hu Chang Hock explained that both Meliodosis and leptospirosis shared similar symptoms.

Dr Hu, who has a master?s degree in infectious disease and tropical medicine, said, ?The symptoms manifest in a patient commonly in the form of headache, fever, cough and joint pain.

?The flu-like symptoms are similar to that of leptospirosis. So you see, it is very difficult to pinpoint exactly if a patient suffers from Meliodosis or leptospirosis.

?A blood test is the most accurate way of determining this,? stressed Dr Hu.

He clarified that although Meliodosis was a water and soil-borne disease, rats could transmit it as well.

Asked on the prevention of contracting these diseases, he advised farmers to wear boots when in contact with water or soil.

?The most important thing that I need to emphasise is to seek immediate medical attention when one does not feel well.

?Do not take anything for granted and assume that one will heal in a couple of days. Neither is it safe to assume that it is just a normal flu,? he cautioned.
....snip
Last Thursday, Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) deputy chairman Daniel Ngieng advised parents to keep their children away from Lake Garden, Permai Road, following detection of Leptospira bacteria there.

Ngieng thus advised people to avoid swimming, taking a dip or coming into contact with the lake water including fishing there.

He also said the council was mulling over launching a Rat Control Campaign? to rid the town of the disease-bearing pests

Full story here:
http://www.theborneopost.com/?p=58631