Subramaniam : Leptospirosis relates closely to community's attitude

The incidence of leptospirosis can only be contained if the community is prepared to regard environment cleanliness as a responsibility, says Health minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam.

He said the disease was closely related to the attitude of the community including food outlet operators.

"Other than the government's efforts, the community must also cooperate to ensure cleanliness of the surroundings," he told reporters after launching the Johor 1Malaysia speech competition at a shopping centre here today.

Subramaniam was asked to comment on a recent electronic media report claiming that certain areas in Kuala Lumpur were exposed to the disease as their back lanes had become nesting grounds for the rodents.

"The people's cooperation to prevent the disease is still not satisfactory," he noted.