Ministry calms fear over leptospirosis

Malay Mail Online: "The Health Ministry has confirmed that leptospirosis is not a public health problem.
'Leptospirosis is an isolated disease,' said the Ministry’s disease control head Dr Ramlee Rahmat, when contacted yesterday.
'The disease is not a public health issue and therefore there is nothing to worry about.'
He was commenting on a case where three people were said to have died from the disease after a fishing trip in Sungai Lembing, Pahang, late last year. The three died within two weeks after the trip.
'The incident at Sungai Lembing could happen anywhere,' said Dr Ramlee, noting that leptospirosis is not a notifiable disease under the Communicable Disease Act.
'So even if hospitals knew of such cases, it was not necessary that they notify the Ministry.'
Leptospirosis occurs when people come into contact with water or soil contaminated with the urine of infected rats or rodents.
'People can be infected if they have cuts or abrasions, allowing the contamination to infiltrate their system,' said Dr Ramlee. 'The Ministry is stepping up its surveillance to detect such diseases.'
Hospitals will be required to report to the Ministry their investigation and managing of cases with ‘specific syndrome’ (a combination of symptoms and signs) like respiratory syndrome, haemorrhagic syndrome and jaundice syndrome, and this will allow the Ministry to do follow-ups.
Also, laboratory surveillance is another way to detect a disease, as the findings of specimens will be reported to the Ministry."