Waterborne Virus Outbreak

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Sayang, pls share with our families

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So i think it's good if i want to share this important info with all of u =)

Let's spend ur lil time to read this....

A waterborne virus outbreak has been reported in two districts in Perak, Malaysia. The rotavirus had caused two infant deaths and some 2,236 acute gastroenteritis (AGE) cases in the Batang Padang and Hilir Perak districts over the last two weeks.

The Ministry of Health Malaysia has informed that the majority of those affected were children with a high density of cases reported in areas close to the water plant that supplies both districts. Initial investigations have shown that the water supply was polluted by the virus. Clinical samples taken were positive for the rotavirus.

What are waterborne diseases?

Waterborne diseases are caused by pathogenic microbes that can be directly spread through contaminated water. Most waterborne diseases cause diarrheal illness. Eighty-eight percent of diarrhea cases worldwide are linked to unsafe water, inadequate sanitation or insufficient hygiene (1). These cases result in 1.5 million deaths each year, mostly in young children (1). The usual cause of death is dehydration. Most cases of diarrheal illness and death occur in developing countries because of unsafe water, poor sanitation, and insufficient hygiene.

What is acute gastroenteritis (AGE)?

Diarrheal disease of rapid onset, with or without accompanying any symptoms.

What is rotavirus?

Rotavirus is a virus that causes gastroenteritis (inflammation of the stomach and intestines) and leading cause of severe diarrhea in infants and young children worldwide.

What are the symptoms?

• Fever

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Abdominal pain

• Additional symptoms include loss of appetite and dehydration (loss of body fluids), which can be especially harmful for infants and young children.

How it can be transmitted?

Rotavirus spreads easily among young children either both before and after they become sick with diarrhea. They can also pass rotavirus to family members and other people with whom they have close contact.

Rotavirus can be spread by contaminated:

• Hands

• Objects (toys, surfaces)

• Food

• Water

The public has been advised to practice good hygiene and consume safe drinking water.

For more information, please check the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website

(http://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/global/wash_diseases.html).

REFERENCES:

(1): World Health Organization. Safer Water, Better Health: Costs, benefits, and sustainability of

interventions to protect and promote health. Available at

http://whqlibdoc.who.int/publications/2008/9789241596435_eng.pdf

(2): JKN Johor : Fact Sheet Rotavirus. Available at http://jknjohor.moh.gov.my/bmv2/uploads/FSRotavirus.pdf

till then, take care and take extra precautions ok :)

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LindaNazmi