Melaka health dept probing claims of rotavirus outbreak on social media - Dr Ghazali

The Melaka Health Department is investigating allegations of a rotavirus outbreak in the state as circulated on social media on Monday.

At the same time, Melaka Historical City Council has also suspended operations of a fountain in the 1Malaysia Square in Klebang after allegations on social media that several children contracted the virus after playing at the fountain and had sought treatment at the Melaka Hospital.

State Health director Datuk Dr Ghazali Othman said the department had taken samples of the water around the fountain and the results are expected to be known soon.

"The Melaka Health Department will notify the findings to the public when it is completed," he told reporters here, Tuesday.

He urged the people, especially the local community in Klebang, to not panic or believe any allegations before a full investigation report is ready.

Dr Ghazali said he did not deny that there were patients displaying symptoms of the virus referred to the Melaka Hospital, but they are isolated cases and not involving several children as claimed on social media. -- Bernama