By Amirah binti Salhuddin
KUALA LUMPUR, 16 November 2021: A cholera case has been discovered two days ago which has been confirmed by the Health Ministry.
Health Minister, Khairy Jamaluddin has advised the people to take preventative actions for instance, only drinking filtered or properly-boiled water besides observing good self-sanitation.
“The Selangor Health Department has detected a cholera case in the Petaling district, Selangor.
“The public is advised to only drink water which has been filtered or boiled, practice good self-hygiene and avoid eating raw or food which has not been properly cooked.
“More information will follow suit,” Khairy said on his official Twitter account.
A cholera alert has been circulated to all of the hospitals and district health clinics across the state by the Selangor Health Department soon after it detected a case of a Malaysian who has been infected by the disease.
Selangor Health Director, Datuk Dr. Sha’ari Ngadiman has signed a 12 November circular and has been cited by the New Straits Times, that contains a statement of the case identification in Petaling district, Selangor.
The circular, however, does not disclose the patient’s age, gender and condition.
“All parties should be informed as well as increase control and preventive measures more effectively according to the available guidelines.
“In addition, as a preventive measure to curb the spread of the disease, all medical practitioners should carry out the following actions including to immediately report any cholera case (suspected or confirmed by the laboratory) to the nearest district health office through telephone and e-notification system within 24 hours.
“Action can be taken under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Disease Act 1988 against those who fail to report such cases,” stated in the circular, circulated to 11 health district offices and 12 Selangor hospital directors.
Taking the patients who are suspected of cholera stool samples is one of the other preventive measures mentioned, to conduct the sensitive analysis.
Only drink treated or properly-boiled water, observe good self-sanitation and wash hands, get medical attention straight away if they develop cholera-related symptoms, steer clear of raw food consumption, are to be advised by all medical practitioners to the public.
“District health offices have also been instructed to increase Acute Gastroenteritis surveillance at all clinics,” stated in the circular.
Vibrio Cholerae bacteria causes Cholera, which is an enteric disease. Painless watery stool and vomiting are among one of the onset symptoms.
The disease can cause dehydration, circulatory collapse, and death if not given medical treatment. ***
Source: News Straits Times