STATE DECLARED FREE OF MENINGITIS

MELAKA (Malaysia), May 19 (Bernama) -- Peninsular Malaysia's southern state
of Melaka was Tuesday declared free of meningitis as there are no more patients
undergoing treatment for the disease at the Melaka Hospital.

State women affairs, health and family development committee chairman
Norpipah Abdol said three remaining patients, comprising trainees of the Road
Transport Department Academy, who were treated at the hospital's isolation ward,
were discharged at 8am Tuesday.

"Four other trainees treated at the same ward were allowed to go home
yesterday (Monday)," she told reporters at the hospital Tuesday.

Also present was state Health Director Dr Ghazali Othman.

A trainee died of the disease at the Melaka Hospital on May 4 and a day
later, nine trainees were admitted to the hospital due to meningitis.

At one time the number of meningitis patients swelled to 41.

Norpipah said the quarantine order for other trainees at the academy had
been withdrawn and all activities resumed as usual.

"The public should no longer worried and should continue with their normal
activities and keep on maintaining hygiene," she said.

She thanked the Health Department, doctors and staff at the hospital for
acting swiftly in containing the disease.
-- BERNAMA