Food samples from Bukit Merah Laketown Resort to be tested

The Kerian District Health Office has taken food samples from food outlets at the Bukit Merah Laketown Resort near Bagan Serai to determine the cause of nine rotavirus infections in Kedah and Penang.

Perak Health director Datuk Dr Juita Ghazalie said although the victims did not have a history of buying food and drinks at the resort, they were there on Sept 24.

"A check at the resort's toilets and sewerage system has also been carried out," she told reporters after attending the Perak Aedes Committee Meeting here Thursday.

She said the water samples were taken with the cooperation of the Sungai Buloh National Public Health Laboratory and the results are expected to be known in two days.

Dr Juita also said the department had ordered the water theme park at the resort to be closed for 14 days under Section 18 (1)(f), of the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 (Act 342).

"If the management conducts a cleansing and disinfection operation immediately, the water activities can be opened earlier," she said.

Dr Juita also advised members of the public to wash their hands with soap and water after using the toilet and to drink clean water in order to avoid being infected by the virus.

The Health Ministry yesterday informed that nine cases of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) were reported in Kedah and Penang, with three of them confirmed positive for rotavirus.

The nine cases involved seven children aged between 11 months and 10 years in Kedah and two children aged three and five in Penang.

All were hospitalised for treatment after showing signs of the infection on Sept 26, and had allegedly visited the park on Sept 24, she said. -- Bernama