BATU GAJAH: The Health Ministry today urged Orang Asli from the Batek tribe at Kampung Kuala Koh, Gua Musang in Kelantan to seek immediate treatment for fungal infection to prevent it from spreading.
Deputy Health Minister Dr Lee Boon Chye said proper treatment was important in order to avoid the infection from spreading to other parts of the body or another person within the community.
"The cause of the infection could be due to poor hygiene and failure to get proper treatment.
"Most of the fungal infections are not serious and can be treated. However, it takes a long time to heal... at least three months. They can be treated with anti-fungal medications and come in either cream or pill form," he said.
Dr Lee said this after meeting with MTD resident associations at Na Tuk Temple in Kampung Baru MTD here, today.
He said the fungal infection could be harmful to those who do not have good immunity system.
"If you have a weak immune system, you should be aware that fungal infections can happen. For a healthy person, such infection can occur but not too serious," he said, adding that the ministry has provided 244 health care facilities to assist Orang Asli community.
It was recently reported that Kelantan Health Department has confirmed that the 120 Orang Asli from Batek tribe were down with fungal infectious since three months ago.
Its director Dr Zaini Hussin said the villagers were infected with tinea corporis or ringworm, a skin disease that was caused by tiny fungus known as dermatophyte.