33 visitors to Jasin hot springs suspected of leptospirosis infection

 

Melaka health director Dr Ruzita Mustaffa said the Jasin hot springs have been closed for 14 days from June 8 and the operators told to carry out cleaning work. (Wikipedia pic)

MELAKA: Thirty-three people, including students and teachers from a school here, are suspected of contracting leptospirosis, also known as rat urine disease, after visiting Jasin hot springs last week.

Melaka health director Dr Ruzita Mustaffa said the Melaka Tengah district health office was informed on June 7 that a group of students from a school in the Melaka Tengah district experienced symptoms of fever, cough, cold and muscle aches after undergoing water therapy at the hot springs two days earlier.

Ruzita said the health office was told that 78 participants, including students, teachers, parents and guardians, attended the programme.

“However, 27 people, comprising 15 students, nine teachers and three guardians, showed symptoms,” she said in a statement today, adding that one guardian and four students were admitted to Melaka Hospital for treatment and were in a stable condition.

The rest received outpatient treatment at the Ayer Keroh health clinic.

Six other cases were detected among the public who visited the hot springs between June 7 and yesterday.

Ruzita said clinical samples from the patients had been sent to the Sungai Buloh public health laboratory for testing.

A risk assessment at the hot springs found that the area was conducive to the spread of leptospirosis, and the recreational centre had been closed for 14 days from June 8.

“The operators have been instructed to carry out cleaning work and to change the pool water regularly according to a schedule, maintain cleanliness, and ensure that there is no infestation of rats or other disease-carrying animals,” she said. - FMT