KOTA KINABALU: There was no acute gastroenteritis (AGE) outbreak in Penampang as reported in viral social media posts.
Sabah Health Director (JKNS) Datuk Dr Asits Sanna said that surveillance conducted by the Penampang District Health Office (PKK) during epidemiological week 24 this year showed that cases of AGE had slightly exceeded the action line threshold.
"This prompted the PKK Penampang to implement enhanced control measures. The distribution of AGE cases was sporadic, with no outbreak detected.
"Subsequent surveillance in epidemiological week 25 this year indicated that AGE cases had fallen below the alert threshold," he said in a statement.
Dr Asits said that AGE is characterised by the occurrence of watery diarrhea more than three times within 24 hours, with or without other symptoms such as vomiting, fever, and abdominal pain. Severe diarrhea can lead to dehydration.
AGE can be caused by viral, bacterial, or parasitic infections.
"To prevent AGE, JKNS advises the public to maintain personal hygiene, frequently wash hands, use clean and safe water, ensure proper maintenance of water filters, cook food thoroughly, and seek immediate medical treatment if experiencing diarrhea symptoms," he said.
In a separate development, the department had conducted a food safety enforcement operation under the Food Act 1983 yesterday at Anjung Selera, Likas, near here.
Dr Asits said the operation involved 22 enforcement officers from the PKK Kota Kinabalu Inspectorate Unit.
During the operation, 14 premises were inspected and four were issued notices of compound for failing to maintain cleanliness and lack of food handling course or anti-typhoid vaccination.
Another three food premises were ordered to close under Section 11 of the Food Act 1983 due to severe cleanliness issues.
"JKNS advises the public to choose clean food premises and remain vigilant about food safety."