KUALA LUMPUR: The Health Ministry revealed that there was an increasing trend of leptospirosis and melioidosis disease in flood affected states.
Its director general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said a total of 146 suspected cases of leptospirosis have been reported in flood-hit states between Jan 11 and Jan 13, with five cases have been confirmed positive.
"As for meliodisis, on Jan 13, a total of seven cases have been confirmed positive in Pahang'"
"We are taking precautionary measures in facing leptospirosis and melioidosis in the affected states," he said in a statement.
Among the steps taken, he said were to ensure health facilities were able to accommodate the increasing number of patients and that there were sufficient drugs to treat patients.
"All hospitals have been instructed to be on a “prepared mode”, especially the Intensive Care Unit and High Dependency Ward, to treat and monitor patients if the need arises," he said.
He added that rapid test kits for leptospirosis will be provided at health clinics in addition to those already supplied to hospitals.
"Health Alert Cards for leptospirosis, meliodosis and typhoid will be provided to our health staff and medical NGOs,"
Dr Noor Hisham also pointed out that volunteers who are involved in post flood clearing activities in flood affected areas, were at risk of contracting leptospirosis and melioidosis.
"They are advised to seek immediate health treatment should there be any signs of or symptoms of the water or vector borne disease," he said.
He also urged medical practitioners in public and private health facilities are to be aware of the current situation and the risk of flood related diseases such as leptospirosis and melioidosis.
"Medical practitioners should check the travel history of patients when examining, to see if they have visited flood affected states and carry out the necessary test as well as treatment."
Among the symptoms of leptospirosis are fever, headache, muscle aches, cough, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, inflammation of the eyes and jaundice.
The incubation period of the disease is between two and 21 days.
While the symptoms of melioidosis are fever, headache, joint pain, cough, chest pain, breathing difficulties, abdominal discomfort, confusion and localised infections such as scabies.
The incubation period of the disease is between one and 21 days.