Laboratory test result confirms siblings contracted leptospirosis

The laboratory test result from the Kuala Lumpur Institute for Medical Research (IMR) confirmed three siblings, including a girl who died last Dec 5, contracted leptospirosis.

Kedah Health director Datuk Dr Norhizan Ismail said their blood samples were sent to the IMR laboratory for screening after they were found to be suffering from fever, following their visit to the Salak Denai Chalet, Yan last Nov 20.

"The incident has led to the death of Amirah Maisarah Zir Omar Khan, aged eight, from Taman Pinang Merah, Penang while her younger sisters, aged five and two, were admitted to the Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital's children's ward last Dec 6.

"Initial laboratory test results show the victim and Zaharah Alisa, two, were suspected to have been infected with leptospirosis while the test result was inconclusive for Nur Syazana, five," he said in a statement here on Wednesday.

Hence, he said an inspection, involving the Kedah Health Department through its disease control and engineer team, Yan district health team, Yan district officer and officers from the Kedah State Water Resources Board, was conducted on Wednesday at the chalet.

Dr Norhizan said following the visit and inspection with the chalet operator, five chalets were found to have a swimming pool each, with two of them filled with water directly from the Sungai Yan Besar and the rest from Kampung Sungai Raga community water supply source.

"In the cases confirmed to have contracted leptospirosis, the victims bathed in the chalet's swimming pool that obtained its water supply directly from Sungai Yan Besar," he said, adding that the chalet was immediately closed.

He said the chalet would be re-opened if the operator adhered to the chlorination system that was agreed to between the operator and the department.

Meanwhile he said the two sisters, who were receiving treatment from the hospital's children specialist, had shown positive progress and were recovering.

Their parents also received out-patient treatment for fever, he said.