A man passes by a house damaged by floodwaters in Tumpat, Kelantan state, Malaysia, on Wednesday. — AFP
Health volunteers in Malaysia are on high alert for any increase in waterborne diseases following the recent devastating floods that led to the evacuation of tens of thousands of people. Concerns are mounting in the country as days of continuous rain could be on the horizon. Floodwaters have started to recede in the worst-affected state of Kelantan, located on Malaysia's northeastern coast, but government data indicates that over 40,000 people were still in temporary shelters on Wednesday, with fears of a potential second wave of flooding this week.
Videos of children playing in muddy floodwaters have circulated widely online, raising concerns about the potential spread of waterborne illnesses. According to Bernama, the government news agency, nearly 5,000 cases of infectious diseases, including stomach flu and respiratory and skin infections, have been detected at Kelantan relief centers so far, citing state health authorities. The Malaysian Medical Relief Society, or Mercy Malaysia, stated that the number of reported cases has been manageable, but its volunteers remain vigilant for any future spikes.
"We have stockpiled our hygiene kits at our base camp. These are to be distributed if the surge of the community moving into the (shelters) happens again," said Shah Fiesal Hussain, head of global operations at Mercy Malaysia, in an interview with Reuters at a flood relief shelter in Kelantan's Pasir Mas district, close to Malaysia's border with Thailand. The volunteers have also organized activities for children at the shelters to minimize their exposure to flood-related health risks.
The Meteorological Department announced on Wednesday that it expects a monsoon surge from December 8 to 14, which could result in continuous rain along the east coast of Malaysia's peninsula and parts of Sabah and Sarawak states on Borneo island.
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