TAPAH, 10 FEBRUARY, 2012: Two babies have died and 2,236 inhabitants of Hilir Perak and Batang Padang are believed to have contracted a virus known as Rotavirus which causes Acute Gastroenteritis (AGE).  

State Health, Local Government, Consumer Affairs, Environment, Transport and Non-Islamic Affairs Committee chairman Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon said AGE has been detected in Tapah and Bidor, Batang Padang.

Speaking to reporters at the Tapah Health Clinic here today, he said the affected areas in Hilir Perak were Hutan Melintang, Teluk Intan, Chenderong Balai and Langkap.   

The symptoms in most cases were diarrhea and vomiting with the majority of patients receiving outpatient treatment only, he added.  

Since Jan 27 to date, 2,236 AGE cases have been diagnosed in the two districts with Hilir Perak recording 1,397 cases and Batang Padang, 839.   

Dr Mah said the viral attack was believed to be water-borne and from contaminated food and the state Health Department was carrying out a detailed study on the matter, with the help of Medical Research Institute and National Public Health Laboratory.

Although the number of cases have dropped since last week, he advised people to take precautionary steps to prevent further spread of the virus. 

"Among the most effective steps are to boil drinking water, wash hands with soap before and after meals, before preparing food and after going to the toilet," he said. 

He urged those experiencing symptoms such as fever, diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, stomach ache, and headache and loss of appetite to immediately seek treatment at the nearest clinic or hospital. 


- Bernama