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ALOR GAJAH – Flood victims and evacuation centre officers in Melaka are encouraged to take prophylactic medicines to prevent rat urine infection or leptospirosis.
State Health and Anti-Drug Committee chairman Muhamad Akmal Saleh said the medicine is not dangerous and supplies can be obtained from health workers at centres that are involved.
He said these people are advised to take medication because they are at risk of infection, especially those exposed to floodwater or involved in clean-ups at homes for long hours.
“We are more concerned about leptospirosis than dengue, especially when floods occur. Although reported cases are low, the disease is in the community and we cannot ignore the matter,” he told reporters after visiting the centre at SMK Seri Pengkalan here today.
Akmal said taking the said medication has been encouraged for flood victims and centre workers since early this year.
Meanwhile, he added that senior citizens and expectant mothers affected by the floods can move to a nearby centre to ensure their health could be monitored by health workers. Expectant mothers can also have their follow-up examinations there without having to go to a nearby health clinic. – Bernama, October 28, 2022