Malaria no cause for worry

Star: KULIM: Housewife Fatiham Othman’s death due to malaria in Air Putih near here was an isolated case and should not be a cause for worry, according to health authorities.
State Health, Social Unity and Welfare Committee chairman V. Saravanan said the situation was well under control.
“The Health Department has been monitoring the situation and has collected blood samples from the residents there for analysis,” he said.
Last Thursday Fatiham, 47, died at the Kulim Hospital four days after being treated for malaria.
Saravanan said that at least seven of the residents there had contracted the disease in the middle of last year but no cases of fatality had been reported then.
Saravanan, who is also Bukit Slambau assemblyman, said the disease could have come from illegal immigrants.
“I hope the Immigration Department will take immediate measures to track down illegal immigrants who work in rubber estates or chicken farms,” he added.
Meanwhile, Kampung Air Putih Security and Development Committee chairman Che Omar Ibrahim said the presence of illegal immigrants in the area was a cause for concern.
“This problem must be solved promptly,” he said.
He said these illegal immigrants usually shared quarters or stayed in barns in secluded areas or at privately owned farms.