Animal pen also breeding diseases
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A filthy cattle enclosure, which is located just 500m from Kampung Bangka Hulu’s clinic, has residents worried about diseases. Flies, gnats and mosquitoes are believed to originate from here.
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GEMAS: The term "ironic" certainly comes to mind when a centre for health is situated cheek-by-jowl with a possible health hazard.
But the residents of Kampung Bangka Hulu are not seeing the funny side of it.
Villagers, especially pregnant mothers, are worred over the potential health risks posed by a filthy cattle enclosure, which is located just 500m from Kampung Bangka Hulu's clinic.
Lately, a strong stench of animal faeces has been wafting from the enclosure, making the situation unbearable for many in the area. In addition, visitors to the clinic are being assailed by flies, gnats and mosquitoes, which are believed to originate from the enclosure.
Residents are urging the Veterinary Department and Tampin District Council (MDT) to take immediate action and relocate the enclosure.
A 24-year-old mother, who had just given birth, said she is worried that her six-month-old child might contract diseases from the mosquitoes that now fill the clinic.
"Every time I visit the clinic for treatment, I fear for my baby because she might get bitten by the mosquitoes. There are so many here, I have to use a handkerchief or a piece of paper to swat them away," said the mother, who only wanted to be identified as Ros.
"I hope the relevant authorities will take immediate action before our children are infected by diseases carried by the flies or mosquitoes," she said, adding that the flies would perch on her child's lips, nose and cheek.
Another 21-year-old mother, who only wanted to be known as Maimunah, said the stench was even stronger after it rained, so much so that it can induce nausea and vomiting.
It is learnt that the enclosure is used to keep frozen rubber and cattle skin besides cattle and goats. Attempts to contact the owner of the enclosure failed.
Meanwhile, council president Datuk Mohd Yusof Yunus said that he has received a complaint letter from the residents through the state Health Department and Veterinary Department.
"We have issued a prior notice to relocate the enclosure within two months to a piece of land that has been provided. The deadline was Aug 31.
"However, it looks like the owner is stubborn and refuses to relocate. So, for the time being, he will be fined RM200 per day as stated in the notice," he said.
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