Malaysia : Penang’s three cases of Japanese Encephalitis came from different areas, says official

Via The Malay Mail :

" The three cases of Japanese Encephalitis in Penang come from different areas in the state, Penang state executive councillor for health Dr Afif Bahardin said today, suggesting that the infections did not come from a common source.

Two cases come from George Town and Bagan Jermal in north Seberang Perai. In the third case infection is believed to have happened in Tasek Gelugor.

“There are no abattoirs or pig farms in George Town and Bagan Jermal,” Dr Alif told a press conference today.

Pigs are reservoirs for the virus that causes the disease but the Culex mosquito is responsible for passing the virus from pigs to humans."

Malaysia : Dengue cases up during last nine weeks

Via The Malay Mail :

" Dengue cases have shown an increase over the last nine weeks, said Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai.

A total of 486 cases were reported between Dec 4 and and 10, the highest recorded since February.

However, the total number of cases from January to December was much lower, with 18,371 cases and 34 deaths compared with 44,641 cases and 132 deaths in the same period last year.

“Statistics also show Malaysia has a decreasing rate of 58 per cent in cases, which is relatively high when compared with the Philippines at 35 per cent, and Australia, at 30 per cent,” he said.

Liow said that to prevent dengue, the Combi (Communication for Behavioural Impact) committee would focus on community behaviour and educate the people on facing vector-borne diseases.

He advised the public to seek early treatment if they suffered from fever as delayed treatment may result in death.

Liow also said the number of dengue cases was usually higher during the rainy season."

Malaysia : Virus outbreak alert at army training camp

Another outbreak at another camp. Article from Malay Mail :

" PORT DICKSON: The Army Basic Training Centre (Pusasda) here is now being monitored after 18 trainees from the Royal Malaysian Police Force (PDRM) were attacked by various diseases, including Adenovirus and Influenza A (H1N1), since March 30.

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said police trainees and cadet soldiers at the centre were supplied with face masks, antiseptic medication and restricted from an contact with the public, to reduce any risk of infection.

"However, we still allow their families to visit under stringent supervision of our officers," he said during a visit to Pusasda accompanied by army and police officers as well as district medical officers, here today.

He said 18 police trainees at the centre were infected by various diseases, of which four were certified positive for Adenovirus bacteria and four others for H1N1.

Training for police trainees at Pusasda has been postponed temporarily, but will resume as normal for cadet soldiers, he said.

He said no cadet soldiers or army recruits were affected by the virus, but five of them are being monitored for high body temperature.

The centre currently has 1,000 police trainees while the army has 2,138 cadet soldiers, he said."

Malaysia : Dengue worries

An article from The Malay Mail :

" PJ city council says action taken and they will monitor the situation

OVERGROWN grass and pools of stagnant water in Damansara Perdana is giving worries to JACQUELINE, a resident there.

"Such conditions are a breeding ground for mosquitoes, and my neighbours and I fear an outbreak of dengue here," she says.

"Also in need of cleaning up is a stream behind a bus stop shelter in Jalan PJU 8/1, which stinks on most days and is a haven for aedes mosquitoes. I noticed a sweeper often cleared the dirt from the pedestrian walkway into the stream, making the situation worse."

JACQUELINE says she lodged a complaint on these matters with the Petaling Jaya City Council on Jan 25 this year.

"If action has been taken, it does not seem to have made any improvement."