Labuan college student suspected to have died of Leptospirosis

An 18-year-old female student of the Labuan Matriculation College (LMC) has died of suspected Leptospirosis, according to LMC director Sawang alias Rezal Amit.

He said the student, from Bintulu, Sarawak, died on Monday and was buried the following day at her birthplace.

Sawang said an investigation was underway to ascertain whether her death was due to Leptospirosis.

"A team from the Health Department was conducting an inspection at the LMC to determine if the student contracted the disease at the college," he told Bernama today.

Labuan Health Department director Dr Ismail Ali, in a statement, confirmed the death of the student who was admitted to the Nucleus Hospital on Oct 23 after she suffered vomitting, stomachache, diarrhoea and fever.

He said a medical examination indicated that she had appendicitis and, subsequently, underwent an appendectomy.

“She was in satisfactory condition after surgery, but her condition became critical several days later and she died on Monday," he said.

“A preliminary test showed that the student may have contracted Leptospirosis. Nevertheless, the case is under investigation," he said.

Meanwhile, Sawang said the Health Department would hold a briefing for the six cafe operators of the college and gather information on the cleanliness at the LMC.

The LMC has about 2,600 students and the six operators take turns to run the three cafes at the college.

“We will leave it to the Health Department team to help us. We hope the college is not the source of the Leptospirosis, if any," he said.