KUALA LUMPUR: The Selangor Health Department has issued a cholera alert to all hospitals and district health clinics statewide after it detected a case involving a Malaysian citizen down with the bacteria infection disease.
In a Nov 12 circular issued signed by Selangor Health director Datuk Dr Sha'ari Ngadiman, which was sighted by the New Straits Times, it stated that the case was identified in the Petaling district of Selangor.
The age, gender and condition of the patient, however, was not mentioned in the circular.
"Therefore, all parties should be informed as well as increase control and prevention measures more effectively according to the available guideline.
"Apart from that, as a preventive measure to curb the spread of the disease, all medical practitioners should carry out the following actions including report immediately any cholera case (suspected or case that has been confirmed by the laboratory) to nearest district health office through telephone and e-notification system within 24 hours.
"Action can be taken under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Disease Act 1988 for those who fail to report such a case," read the circular, which was issued to 11 health district offices and 12 directors of hospitals in Selangor.
Other measures included taking the sample of the stool of suspected cholera patients to enable sensitivity analysis to be carried out.
The circular added all medical practitioners should advise the public to only drink treated water or water which has been properly boiled, always practise good self hygiene and wash hands; get treatment immediately if developing symptoms associated to cholera and avoid consuming raw food or food which was not cooked properly.
"Health district offices have also been instructed to increase Acute Gastroenteritis surveillance at all clinics," the circular read.
According to the circular, cholera is an enteric disease caused by Vibrio Cholerae bacteria.
Early symptoms of the disease include painless watery stool and vomiting and that it can lead to dehydration, circulatory collapse and death if left untreated.