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Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Rat urine disease in Junaco Park pond - Malaysia

SIBU - The leptospira bacteria has been found in a pond at Junaco Park (above) which was used for National Service training and another place at Tasik Taman Prekreasi at Permai Road in Sibu.

In a press statement Thursday, Junaco Park manager Khin Siong Hii clarified that the Health Department had informed them of the bacteria after testing was done last December.

Leptospirosis which is known as rat urine disease is an infectious disease caused by leptospira bacteria which can be transmitted to human from animals or even through food.

He assured that the pond was closed and all water activities were not allowed in the pond. Due to the fasting month, he said the 226 National Service trainees had taken their training indoor.

The 50-hectare Junaco Park which is 16 miles from Sibu town is one of the camps used for National Service training in Sarawak.


Image source from MalaysianMirror


What is LEPTOSPIROSIS - (Bacterial from Rat Urine)?

LEPTOSPIROSIS is a rare bacterial infection that occurs when humans come into contact with water, wet soil or vegetation with animal urine or feces that contains leptospira. It is potentially fatal because it affects the liver.

here is a likelihood that you have leptospirosis if:

• You live in an area
that is flooded
• You recently waded or swam in flood waters
• You have had high fever for 2 to 3 days
• Your fever is accompanied by body pains, chills, headaches, and red eyes (like sore eyes), jaundice (yellowing of the skin), decreased levels of urination, and when urine is tea-colored (a dark amber color)
• These symptoms occurred 10 days after you first waded in flood waters, wet soil or vegetation
• You are male (most cases of leptospirosis occur among males who are more likely to wade in floods)

What to do if you suspect that you have leptospirosis:
• Seek medical help immediately

• Take prescribed antibitotics as early
as possible to prevent the progression of the disease
• If the disease has affected
your kidney, and there is a possibility of kidney failure, you will have to undergo dialysis

You can avoid leptospirosis by:
• Avoiding flooded areas
and refraining from coming in contact with flood water.
• Wearing protective clothing
like pants, rubber glove, gloves or rubber jumpsuits if you have to wade through floods. This can protect your skin from bacteria in the water.
• Washing with soap and water the parts of your body that have come into contact with flood water.
• Taking prophylactic medicines that prevent the onset of disease.

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