Leptospirosis: Exact cause of Form Three student's death yet to be determined

The exact cause of a Form Three student from SMK Pad Badol here has yet to be ascertained even though initial tests indicated that he had been infected with leptospirosis.

Kelantan Health Department Director Datuk Dr Ahmad Razin Ahmad Maher said the overall test to determine the cause of death will only be made available next week.

As such, it cannot be confirmed that the student’s cause of death was due mainly to leptospirosis, he said.

Dr Ahmad Razin said a rapid test conducted on the student showed the disease was active in his body, however the results of other tests have yet to be received.

READ: Form Three student dies of suspected leptospirosis

“Due to this, I cannot announce a confirmation. What we need to do now is call an expert to present this case before we can determine whether or not the cause of death was indeed due to leptospirosis,” Dr Ahmad Razin said.

He said his department will also collect water samples from the river including from his home to determine where the student had contracted the disease.

“Areas at risk are not only confined to recreational areas but also around the patient’s home. We need to investigate whether or not the disease was indeed contracted from Jeram Mengaji in Selising, Pasir Puteh and have the area closed,” Dr Ahmad Razin said.

Yesterday, Muhamad Fikri Farizaq Mukhtar, 15, died at 10am while undergoing treatment at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Hospital Tengku Anis in Pasir Puteh.

The victim’s father, Mukhtar Awang, 58, claimed the hospital had told him that his son was confirmed positive with leptospirosis. The victim is said to have gone swimming with three friends at Jeram Mengaji, Selising on August 27.

Speaking at a press conference held at his office today, Dr Ahmad Razin also said the total number of leptospirosis cases in Kelantan from January to September this year amounted to 545 cases with four deaths.

This number however was a decrease from the total number of cases reported last year at 1,394 cases with 12 deaths, he said.

The reason the disease is rampant at the moment, he said, is due to a filthy environment which attracts rats.

The department is also carrying out efforts to reduce the number of areas at risk of rat infestation as Kota Bahru has recorded the highest number of leptospirosis cases.

Dr Ahmad Razin said the people of Kelantan have been advised to maintain a clean environment to deter rats which carry the disease.

Apart from that, he also advised those with open wounds to take the necessary precautions and not to visit high risk areas.