A VIRAL message claiming an individual had been hospitalised with leptospirosis after visiting a water recreational area in Selangor spread rapidly on social media, alarming families who frequent the state's popular river and waterfall spots.
Leptospirosis is a serious bacterial infection that can be fatal if untreated, making the claim all the more frightening for parents planning weekend outings.
Was a person really hospitalised with leptospirosis after visiting a Selangor water recreational area?
Verdict:
FALSE
The Selangor Health Department confirmed that while a patient was admitted to a hospital in the state on July 7, the test result was negative for leptospirosis.
"The patient is now stable and has been transferred to a normal ward for continued treatment," the department said in a statement posted on its Facebook page on Monday (July 20).
The viral message had claimed the hospitalisation was caused by leptospirosis purportedly contracted at a water recreational area in Selangor. The department's statement makes clear that this is not the case.
That said, while the specific viral claim is false, the concern it plays on is not unfounded.
The Selangor Health Department recorded 127 leptospirosis cases across several districts in Selangor between 2024 and 2026, with no fatalities. Of those, approximately 21%, or 26 cases, were linked to water activities.
Three recreational areas in Selangor were specifically named as frequently tied to leptospirosis cases: Sungai Kanching Eco-Forest Park in Gombak, Sungai Congkak Waterfalls in Hulu Langat and Ulu Yam River in Hulu Selangor.
These are among the most popular weekend destinations for families in the Klang Valley, which makes the department's safety guidance worth knowing.
Leptospirosis is a contagious disease that spreads from animals, particularly rats, to humans. Dogs, cats, cows, pigs, rabbits and horses can also be carriers.
Infection occurs when an individual is exposed to water, soil or food that has been contaminated with the urine of a carrier animal, typically through a wound on the skin or through the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose and mouth.
Symptoms include fever, headache, muscle aches particularly in the thighs, shivering, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and redness in the eyes.
If not treated early, leptospirosis can lead to serious complications including kidney failure, liver damage, bleeding in the lungs and death.
The department advised the public to maintain personal hygiene and the cleanliness of their surroundings, especially in recreational areas, and to avoid littering.
Visitors to water recreational areas should avoid entering the water if they have open wounds, or cover wounds with a waterproof bandage before doing so.
The public should also avoid playing in stagnant water, particularly after a flood, and should not drink or use river water that has not been properly boiled.
"The department will continue to monitor the development of these cases closely and be prepared to take the necessary measures," the spokesman said.
