JOHOR BARU: The water in the swimming pool and diving pool at the Johor Baru City Council Aquatic Centre (MBJB) Larkin Arena has been confirmed to contain E. coli bacteria.
Johor Youth, Sports, Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Committee Chairman Mohd Hairi Mad Shah confirmed the matter after receiving the water sample test results from the Chemistry Department earlier on Tuesday (July 30).
"We regret that the centre management did not prepare the pool properly, resulting in 19 participants in the Johor School Sports Council (MSSJ) 2024 Aquatic Championship last Thursday showing unhealthy symptoms.
"I was informed the water was contaminated with small amounts of E-coli bacteria following test results from the Chemistry Department obtained this morning," he added.
Mohd Hairi, who is also the Larkin assemblyman, said this at a press conference after handing out aid to public hospitals at Sultanah Aminah Hospital (HSA) here on Tuesday (July 30).
On Thursday (June 27), 19 students out of 900 participants in the tournament were rushed to the hospital after experiencing symptoms such as vomiting, fever and itchy skin, believed to have been caused by the water in the swimming pool and diving pool at the aquatic centre.
The Arena Larkin Aquatic Centre in Larkin is expected to be temporarily closed after 19 secondary school students were admitted to hospital following a swim in the pool.
Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi said the students were participating in a swimming competition organised by MSSJ from July 23 to 25.
"As of Sunday, only one of the 19 students is still being treated at HSA.
"There were 900 participants in the competition, and 19 of them were admitted to hospital," he said during a visit to the Arena Larkin Aquatic Centre.
He added that the students started vomiting on July 25 before being admitted to hospital.
"From my visit, it’s clear that some of the facilities at the centre need repairs, with some amenities having become rusty from not being used during the pandemic.
"The Chemistry Department has taken water samples from the diving and swimming pools, and we are trying to determine the cause of this incident.
"Depending on the report, we might have to temporarily close this centre. The building owner has been informed to conduct immediate maintenance," he said.
