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Sunday, February 12, 2012

Malaysia : Virus outbreak in state under control, says Liow

Via The Star :

" A water-borne virus outbreak in two Perak districts is now under control with no new deaths being reported, Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said.

The rotavirus, which also causes vomiting, fever and dehydration, had caused two infant deaths and some 2,200 acute gastroenteritis (AGE) cases in the Batang Padang and Hilir Perak districts over the last two weeks.

He said the majority of those affected were children with a high density of cases reported in areas close to the water plant that supplies both districts.

“The AGE is due to the rotavirus.

“Initial investigations show that the water was polluted by the virus.

“We are identifying the source of the virus and whether it is from the distribution channels.

“A special team from the Institute of Medical Research and the ministry is investigating the incident,” he said after launching the Gombak health carnival here yesterday.

Liow said the cases in Hilir Perak were first spotted on Jan 27 and Jan 25 for the Batang Padang district.

Two infants, aged two and 10 months old, died on Jan 31 from severe dehydration. Both cases were unrelated, he said.

In TAPAH, AGE cases in the Batang Padang and Hilir Perak districts have risen to 2,544 with 11 more patients being hospitalised."

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