KUALA LUMPUR: Over 800 health cases were detected following checks done on flood victims in temporary relief centres (PPS) in Sabah and Sarawak, says the Health Ministry
It said a total of 9,379 victims were examined and given treatment at the various PPS in both states.
"Of this total, the reported cases of infectious diseases were 671 with acute respiratory tract infections, 82 cases of skin infection, 37 cases of acute gastroenteritis, 17 cases of conjunctivitis and one case of hand, foot and mouth disease.
"There were no cases of chickenpox, typhoid, leptospirosis and Covid-19 reported at the centres.
"The Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Services team has also been mobilised, with three teams consisting of family physicians, medical officers, psychologists, paramedics, and health personnel from various departments," it said in a statement on Monday (Feb 3).
It added that 22 out of 30 health facilities in Sarawak, which were affected by the floods, have resumed operations.
"All 27 health facilities that were affected in Sabah have resumed operations as well.
"The state Health Departments in Sabah and Sarawak have mobilised their respective medical and health teams there.
"There are 37 medical teams and 30 health teams from the Sarawak health department and 16 medical teams and 27 health teams from the Sabah counterpart deployed at all the relief centres (PPS)," it said.
The ministry said various intervention activities of relaxation techniques, artistic expression, and psycho-education have been carried out to help those at the centres.
"To date, no flood victims have been detected to have mental health problems that require referral to the hospital.
"We (the Health Ministry) are always ready to provide the best health services for the flood victims in both states.
"We want to advise the community to always prioritise safety, maintain personal and food hygiene as well as take appropriate steps to prevent infectious diseases.
"The public should always obey the instructions of the authorities, monitor the latest weather information and prepare important equipment and documents that need to be brought with them if necessary during an evaluation," the ministry said.
The ministry then advised people to get immediate help in the event of emotional distress.
"We hope that with the cooperation of all parties, the health and safety of everyone during the flood season will be maintained," it read.
Meanwhile, the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) on Sunday (Feb 2) issued an alert-level continuous rain warning from Feb 4 to 5 in Kuching, Serian, Samarahan, Sri Aman, Betong, Sarikei, and Mukah in Sarawak.
It was reported at 8am today that the number of evacuees dropped to 10,068 in Sarawak compared to 10,104 last night (Feb 2), with all of them taking shelter at 46 relief centres.
In Sabah, the number of flood evacuees rose to 196 from 55 families this morning, compared to 155 from 41 families last night.
