Lata Bayu park reopens after man's death

The Lata Bayu recreational park, which is a favourite among picnickers, was closed for a month following the death of a visitor who had contracted leptospirosis after taking a dip in the ponds there.




It's is free of deadly leptospirosis disease, says health department director

ALOR STAR: THE Lata Bayu recreational park in Baling near here is open to the public again.

After a month-long closure, the Kedah Health Department has allowed the park, which is a favourite among picnickers, to be opened again after it has been certified clean of rats, which are the carriers of the deadly leptospirosis disease.

Department director Dr Ismail Abu Taat said test results of water and soil samples taken from the ponds at the park showed that they were free of the bacteria responsible for the disease, known as black jaundice.

"We have taken steps to rid the place of rats that carry the bacteria.

"The park is open to the public again."

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Aussie scientists in bid to wipe out dengue fever

Australian scientists have developed a bacterium that will wipe out dengue fever.

The bacterium acts as a vaccine for mosquitoes, which could in turn stop the disease spreading in humans, the Australian Associated Press (AAP) reports.

Professor Scott O'Neill, from the University of Queensland, said he is "incredibly excited" as a 12-week field trial starts in the Cairns suburbs of Yorkeys Knob and Gordonvale in Queensland.

259 patients positive H1N1, no new death

-Image show steps to prevent Influenca A(H1n1)

No new deaths due to Influenza A (H1N1) have been registered today, leaving the death toll at 71, with patients confirmed positive with the virus at 259 cases.

53 were in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) with 41 risk factor cases like those with chronic illness, obesity, children or babies, pregnant women, new mothers and Down Syndrome.

260 new patients with influenza-like illness (ILI) had been admitted to hospital for treatment while 312 had been discharged, leaving 1,394 ILI patients at 94 hospitals, including five private hospitals.


“Those infected with H1N1 normally have high fever (temperatures of over 38 degrees Celcius) for three to four days, headache, sore throat, tiredness, body aches and cough without phlegm during the early stage.
“Those with normal flu rarely have fever or light fever (temperatures of less than 38 degree Celcius), running nose and often sneezes,”Director-general of Health Tan Sri Dr Mohd Ismail Merican said.


Current H1n1 pandemic level is 6 by WHO


WHO level 6 pandemic rating.









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