SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN ‘AGE’ CASES IN LABUAN, NO CLUSTER DETECTED

LABUAN, Labuan Health Department has reported a significant increase in cases of Acute Gastroenteritis (AGE), with 96 cases this year compared to 37 cases during the same period in 2023, representing a 159.5 per cent rise. Its director Dr Francis Paul said despite the sharp increase, no clusters of AGE or food poisoning outbreaks have been detected up to 25th Epidemiological week. He said AGE is characterised by sudden onset of diarrhea and/or vomiting, usually defined as experiencing three or more episodes of diarrhea or vomiting. 'The condition is commonly caused by consuming contaminated water. 'Weekly monitoring conducted by the Drinking Water Quality Control Unit (KMAM) of the Labuan Health Department has found no violations in drinking water quality standards for Labuan,' he told Bernama today. He said the department is actively monitoring AGE and related illnesses reported by all healthcare facilities. In light of the increase, Dr Francis advised the people to take preventive measures to avoid t he spread of the disease and drink only clean, bottled, or boiled water while maintaining personal and environmental hygiene. Source: BERNAMA News Agency