DISEASE: Keep clean and keep cholera away

2009/11/24

JAMES GONZALES, Kuala Lumpur

WE are again experiencing an outbreak of cholera in the country, this time in Terengganu. What is of concern is that the disease is resistant to certain antibiotics.

Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai has said that its origin had yet to be determined, and only the source had been detected.

It is disconcerting to learn, when there is an outbreak of any disease, that the antibiotics do not work against the infection.

If the Institute for Medical Research is unable to find the antibiotics to combat this disease, then we need to seek the help of the World Health Organisation.

As of Sunday, 145 cases had been reported and 621 people had been warded for acute gastroenteritis. There has been one death since Nov 11.

Twenty of the 115 businesses inspected have been closed down, of which 11 were ice factories, four keropok factories and five restaurants.

However, we need to do more to contain the disease.

In this respect, the state health departments should step up their enforcement of health rules governing business premises.

The cleanliness of restrooms in many restaurants need to be upgraded and inspected regularly, as many of them do not adhere to rules of basic hygiene and cleanliness.

Restrooms in school canteens, bus terminals and railway and Light Rail Transit stations also need to be improved.

Perhaps we need to have a Restrooms Act to make cleanliness mandatory.

I have also noticed that Kuala Lumpur market vendors sell fish, fruits and vegetables next to clogged drains, posing a health hazard.

At many housing estates, garbage collectors do not put back the covers of dustbins after they have collected the rubbish.

This causes water to accumulate, and if the house owner is away for a few days, it provides a breeding ground for mosquitoes.

Generally, the level of cleanliness in Malaysia is better than in many developing countries.

In all fairness, there is only so much the government can do, but more importantly, the people need to be educated on the importance and virtues of cleanliness.