Ling Tian Soon
KLUANG: The Johor Health Department is tracking the source of infection of the 12-year-old boy who died of septic shock secondary to meningoencephalitis.
State health and unity committee chairman Ling Tian Soon (pic) said the boy, Airiel Syahren Syahrol Azmi, could have contracted the disease through the air.
An investigation would be carried out to confirm the matter, he added.
"The deceased’s younger brother, a nine-year-old, shared similar symptoms but is not as severe.
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"The younger brother was also sent to the same hospital and is now in a stable condition.
"He should be able to return home today (May 3)," he said after visiting the patient at Hospital Enche’ Besar Hajjah Khalsom in Kluang here.
Meanwhile, Ling also clarified that the death of Airiel on Monday (May 1) was not due to heatstroke as claimed.
ALSO READ: Boy, 12, dies of septic shock in Kluang, heatstroke suspected
He said the boy displayed symptoms such as fever, cough and cramps, similar to that of a heatstroke, which led to the misunderstanding.
The boy was rushed to Hospital Enche’ Besar Hajjah Khalsom after experiencing a seizure at his home last Sunday (April 30).
"He had a fever a day before his death, and had been coughing for about three days prior.
"His death was classified as due to septic shock secondary to meningoencephalitis and has nothing to do with heatstroke as reported," Ling added.
The meninges are layers of thin tissue that cover the brain, and when both the meninges and brain become inflamed or infected, the condition is called meningoencephalitis.
