PUTRAJAYA: Eighty-six people are confirmed to have contracted Rotavirus and suffered acute gastroenteritis (AGE) after visiting the Ulu Lengong Hotspring in Baling, Kedah, in January, said Health director-general Datuk Seri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.
"However, since Feb 11, there have been no new cases reported, and the final two patients have been discharged.
"(The infection) led to acute dehydration (among other symptoms) in patients treated," he said in a statement today.
Two weeks ago, the ministry ordered the temporary closure of the recreational park after more than 50 of its visitors came down with the Rotavirus.
It also advised those who with symptoms including diarrhoea, vomiting, fever and abdominal pain, and who had visited the recreational centre between Jan 25 to Feb 3, to immediately seek medical treatment at nearby hospitals.
Dr Noor said monitoring of AGE cases will continue until the end of today, before the outbreak will be officially declared over.
He revealed that investigations at the Hotspring showed no leakage of its wastewater management system, and its cleanliness was satisfactory.
"It is believed that contamination may have happened on Jan 29 and Jan 30, based on the centre's cleaning schedule.
"We believe the contamination was due to lack of awareness of personal hygiene among (visitors).
"The ponds were cleaned on Jan 31 and the Hotspring resumed operations on Feb 6," he added.
In light of the incident, the Baling District Council has initiated periodical cleaning of the ponds, roughly once every two days, Dr Nor Hisham said.
Another step being taken to ensure there is no obstruction to hot water flow at all man-made ponds is limiting the number of visitors during peak seasons.
Dr Noor Hisham advised the public to follow rules at the Hotspring, refraining from entering the ponds if they have diarrhoea, and for children wearing disposable diapers not to be allowed to enter the ponds.