Tourism Ministry To Help Keep Tourist Spots Disease-free

GEORGE TOWN, Aug 7 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Tourism is ready to work with the Ministry of Health to prevent outbreaks of diseases in all tourist spots in the country, Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen said today. She said the necessary measures had been taken by the Tourism Ministry following the recent case of Leptospirosis bacterial infection (rat urine disease) in Lata Bayu, Baling, Kedah. The ministry had to comply with the measures taken by the Ministry of Health, including to temporary close tourist spots, for the sake of public safety, she said. "As a party that has the expertise, the Ministry of Health has the right to make inspections and certify whether a tourist spot is safe to be opened to the public," she said to reporters after launching the "1Malaysia Green, 1Malaysia Clean" campaign at Batu Ferringhi, here.

Ng said that though the outbreak of Leptospirosis was under control, the relevant authorities must take the precautionary steps to prevent any untoward incident. She said the campaign was aimed at creating awareness among tourists and the local people to keep tourist spots like beaches and waterfalls clean. Last Wednesday, an employee of the Penang Health Department died of Leptospirosis after contracting the disease during a picnic in Lata Bayu. Two other popular picnic spots which tested positive for the bacteria are the Puncak Janing Recreation Park in Kuala Nerang and the Bukit Wang Recreation Park in Kubang Pasu. The Kedah Health Department has ordered the three picnic spots to be temporary closed to prevent spread of the disease.