As of Sunday, 18 October 2015, the Health Ministry has confirmed there has been 32 reports of typhoid fever cases. It is recorded that Titiwangsa area has the most cases with 16, followed by Kepong with eight and Lembah Pantai and Cheras, both with four. There has not been any deaths reported.
The Health Ministry urges all to ensure steps are taken to combat this fever that’s caused by the bacterium Salmonella typhi. Only humans are affected by this infection which is spread by the ingestion of food or water contaminated with excreta from an infected person.
Symptoms include abdominal pain, fever, headache and fatigue. Older people may experience constipation whereas younger children may experience diarrhoea. This infection can lead to brain malfunction, shock and occasionally intestinal bleeding and perforation.