Leptospirosis: Second death in Kedah

The Star Online

Published: Sunday August 22, 2010 MYT 6:54:00 PM

Leptospirosis: Second death in Kedah
By EMBUN MAJID


Three recreation areas - Puncak Janing, Bukit Wang and Lata Bayu - are closed to public

ALOR SETAR: A 17-year-old youth became the second victim of the leptospirosis (rat urine disease) disease in Kedah after visiting the Puncak Janing recreation area

The youth from Kampung Rambai in Bukit Raya, Pendang died on Saturday at the Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital.

Kedah Health Department director Dr Marzukhi Md Isa said Sunday that the youth had gone to Puncak Janing recreation area on July 16, with his four friends.

“The youth could have showed symptom of the disease a bit late because the disease can be detected between three days and three weeks,” he said.

He added that the department was also monitoring the health condition of the youth's four friends and they had been told to go the nearest hospital regularly.

It was reported on Aug 5, that one person had died due to the disease while two others were confirmed to have contracted it in Kedah.

Dr Marzukhi was reported as saying that the victim who died was in his 30s and was a Penang Health Department employee.

It was also reported that the two who confirmed contracted the disease were discharged after they were freed from the symptom.

Dr Marzukhi said that the state had closed the Puncak Janing recreation area following the death of the second victim and warned public not to visit the place.

“We have closed the main road to the recreation area but we learnt that they are other small roads leading to the recreation site.

“I hope that the public will take heed of the disease and avoid visiting the area,” he said.

Besided Puncak Janing two other recreation areas that were closed due to the disease are Bukit Wang recreation area and Lata Bayu recreation area.