Felda Aring 1 residents express concern over pneumonia outbreak

GUA MUSANG,  June 12 (Bernama) -- Residents of Felda Aring 1 have expressed concern following the spread of pneumonia among the Orang Asli community in Kampung Kuala Koh, here.

A Felda settler, Ruzelan Ramli, 55, said although he lived about 30 km from the affected, he was still worried as it was an airborne disease.

"We hope that the real cause of the disease’s outbreak can be detected as soon as possible to facilitate the settlers in this area to take precautionary measures.

"The residents (of Felda Aring 1) are now in a state of confusion because there are claims that the infection was caused by water pollution and some quarters say it is an airborne disease," he told reporters in Felda Aring 1 here, today.

Meanwhile, the Penghulu of Felda Aring 1, Nik Anuar Ghazali @ Daud, 51, said although the disease had been affecting the Orang Asli community over a month ago, none of the settlers from the Felda village suffered similar symptoms.

"I advise the 173 families here not to approach the Orang Asli settlements in Kuala Koh as the authorities are still conducting a thorough investigation into the incident," he said.

On Monday, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad banned the public from entering the Orang Asli village to minimise the risk of the disease further spreading.

Yesterday, the Ministry of Health has confirmed that two of the 14 deaths involving the Orang Asli community from the Batek tribe in Kuala Koh in the past month were due to pneumonia, however, the true cause of death would only be known after a serology and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test is concluded.

So far, 99 residents of the community have received treatment, with four of them warded at the intensive care units of the Kuala Krai Hospital and Raja Perempuan Zainab II Hospital (HRPZII) here.

-- BERNAMA