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Sunday November 15, 2009

Terengganu wants more effective measures to fight cholera


KUALA TERENGGANU: The state government has asked local councils and the health department to take immediate measures to contain the spread of cholera.

State Health, Unity and Consume­rism Committee deputy chairman Datuk Din Adam said a single preventive measure like creating awareness was inadequate and more effective control mechanisms should be initiated.

Among the additional measures he suggested were sterilisation and proper disposal at eateries, anti-bacterial treatment of sewage, including using the ultra-violet light method, and warnings posted around contaminated areas.

“Health education and adherence to appropriate sanitation practices are important in this period to help prevent and control the transmission of cholera,” he added.

A 30-year-old man died of cholera two days ago, forcing the state health authorities to declare an outbreak.

So far, 94 people have been admitted to hospitals with symptom of acute diarrhoea. Eleven patients admitted at the Sultanah Nur Zahirah Hospital here since Tuesday were confirmed to have the disease.

Din said he was told that the state health department had ordered hospitals to isolate the patients showing symptoms like vomiting, nausea and diarrhoea.

“We must remind the public that cholera is an extremely virulent disease that affects both children and adults,” he added.

He said the situation could be further exacerbated by the second wave of floods expected in the state.

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