KUALA LUMPUR: The Health Ministry has raised the alarm on risks of leptospirosis, influenza and other diseases as floodwaters recede.
Its minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said as of Monday, 629 flood victims had been examined at temporary evacuation centres.
He added that Crisis Preparedness and Response Centre data showed 78 cases of acute respiratory infection, 16 skin infections, two acute gastroenteritis cases and one conjunctivitis case among evacuees.
“No evacuees required hospital referral and no outbreaks have been reported,” he said after officating at the Malaysia International Healthcare Megatrends event.
He also said the ministry had anticipated worsening flood conditions and activated a full preparedness plan to ensure uninterrupted healthcare services.
“Alternative health facilities have been identified should primary facilities be disrupted, while state health departments have updated assets, vehicles and medical supplies.
“Medicine stocks are sufficient for at least three months, with extra reserves available from concession suppliers.”
Dzulkefly said he visited his Kuala Selangor constituency yesterday, where 954 residents from 231 families were affected by flood and are sheltering at Sekolah Kebangsaan Desa Aman, while another 22 evacuees from three families were placed at the Balai Raya Kampung Jaya Setia evacuation centre.
He added that the ministry is rolling out several key measures under its action plan to ensure health facilities remain safe and fully operational with sufficient manpower, equipment and logistics.
“Specialised medical teams are on standby, including the Rapid Assessment Team, Rapid Response Team (RRT) and Medical Emergency Response Team, supported by mental health and psychosocial support units.
“These teams conduct health assessments, provide treatment at the relief centres and monitor for diseases. Environmental inspections and psychosocial support are also part of their duties.”
He said inspections at the evacuation centres are ongoing, with all identified locations checked and assessed for suitability, while public health activities are being carried out with other agencies.
“While no new outbreaks have been reported, we remain cautious due to rising (cases of) influenza and other illnesses.
“We also remind the public to stay alert to diseases such as leptospirosis, especially as floodwaters recede.”
Forty eight emergency medical teams, comprising 16 medical RRTs and 32 health RRTs, have been mobilised to provide medical services and disease prevention for individuals affected by the floods.
The Meteorological Department issued a Continuous Rainfall Warning at Danger Level (Red) on Monday at 2pm for Kedah (Langkawi, Kubang Pasu, Kota Setar, Pokok Sena, Padang Terap, Yan, Pendang and Sik), Kelantan (Tumpat, Pasir Mas, Kota Bharu, Bachok, Machang and Pasir Puteh) and Terengganu (Besut), effective until today.
A Continuous Rainfall Warning at Alert Level (Orange) was also issued on Monday for Kedah, Penang, Perak, Kelantan and Terengganu until today.
As of 10.30am yesterday, 20,146 flood victims sought refuge at 119 relief centres across eight states, according to reports from the Social Welfare Department’s InfoBencana, the Irrigation and Drainage Department’s InfoBanjir and state disaster management secretariats.
Kelantan recorded 9,959 evacuees from 3,643 families across 40 relief centres, followed by Selangor with 2,697 evacuees in 19 centres and Perak with 2,678 evacuees across 29 centres.
Perlis reported 2,694 evacuees, while Kedah had 1,632 evacuees in 12 centres, with four rivers above danger levels.
Penang reported 366 evacuees, Terengganu reported 97 evacuees at one centre and Pahang 23 evacuees after opening a relief centre in Raub. InfoBanjir reported several critical river readings, including Sungai Golok in Rantau Panjang rising to 8.55m, exceeding the danger mark by 0.55m.
In Pahang, Sungai Kuala Mendang in Lipis remained above the danger level at 85.35m, while Sungai Telemong in Bentong showed a downward trend at 98.19m, still above its alert threshold.
Sungai Bidor in Changkat Jong, Perak reached 4.59m, far above its normal level of around 2m, and Sungai Slim in Slim River stood at 27.82m compared with its normal 23.50m.
