Six-year-old boy infected with JE - NS health director

A six-year-old boy, who was receiving treatment at the Tuanku Ja'afar Hospital (HTJ), here since May 20 has been confirmed to be suffering from Japanese Encephalitis (JE) infection.

Negeri Sembilan Health Department (JKNNS) director, Dr Abdul Rahim Abdullah said the confirmation was based on the blood test carried out on the child which showed JE positive.

"The child is now in stable condition and is placed at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU)," he said when contacted by Bernama, here today.

He also disclosed that this was the third case of JE infection in Negeri Sembilan this year, after a case each in Jelebu and Kuala Pilah.

However, he said, there was no fatality reported.

Meanwhile, Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, when asked to comment on the matter, said the child could have been infected due to a mosquito bite.

He said that an inspection around the victim's house in Kuala Pilah revealed that there was a former wallowing hole believed to be used by wild boars.

"As reported by the Director of Health, the infection was caused by mosquito bites and was not due to an epidemic.

"So, this is not a matter of serious concern and the JKNNS will make announcements from time to time based on its investigations," he said after chairing a meeting of the Executive Council at Wisma Negeri, here.