Another Orang Asli admitted to Hulu Terengganu Hospital

KUALA TERENGGANU July 2 (Bernama) -- Another Orang Asli was admitted to Hulu Terengganu Hospital in Kuala Berang yesterday after she was detected to be ill, including having fever and diarrhoea.

State director of Health, Dr Mohd Jusoh said the 18-year-old girl from Kampung Sungai Berua had a history of contact with an Orang Asli patient who was earlier confirmed to have measles.

"The girl was warded after going to Hulu Terengganu Hospital by herself to seek treatment for fever, vomiting, cough, sore throat, loss of appetite, lethargy and diarrhoea.

"This has brought the number of Orang Asli now receiving treatment at the hospital to a total of six -- five females and one male. They are all reported to be in stable condition," he said in a statement today.

Since June 12, Hulu Terengganu Hospital has received 18 Orang Asli patients suspected to have measles but 12 of them were discharged in stages since June 20.

Out of the 18 patients, 12 were confirmed to have contracted measles, two were negative while the other four are still awaiting the lab test results.

Terengganu has four Orang Asli villages in three districts -- two in Hulu Terengganu and one each in Besut and Kemaman.

Dr Mohd said surveillance and detection had been actively carried out in the Orang Asli villages of Hulu Terengganu involving 493 villagers and the exercise would continue from time to time.

-- BERNAMA