Materia Medica Malaysiana

Typhoid In Kelantan Under Control

KOTA BAHARU, April 22 (Bernama) -- The typhoid situation in Kelantan is under control, Deputy Health Minister Datuk Dr Abdul Latiff Ahmad said Friday.
He said immediate action taken by the State Health Department, including opening an operations room and in promptly informing the ministry, helped prevent an epidemic.
"There is better awareness among the public of the disease. They go to the clinics or hospitals immediately when they are not well and this can help prevent the spread of the disease," he told reporters.
Dr Abdul Latiff, accompanied by State Health director Datuk Dr Ahmad Razin Ahmad Mahir, had earlier visited typhoid patients at the Kota Baharu Hospital.
Since the typhoid outbreak in Kelantan two weeks ago, two people have died from the disease.
Dr Abdul Latiff advised the people not to be unduly worried about typhoid since the disease could be cured if treated early.
He said that as at noon Friday there were 282 cases reported with 127 of them confirmed as typhoid fever.
A total of 92 patients are being treated at the Kota Baharu Hospital, 16 in Tumpat, two in Pasir Mas, 11 in Bachok, three in Machang and one patient each in Pasir Puteh, Tanah Merah and Kuala Krai.