Malaria outbreak feared in Penang

Malaria outbreak feared in Penang

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Twenty-two people, including 19 Indonesian construction workers, have been hospitalized with malaria in the Malaysian state of Penang, one of the country's most popular tourist areas, a report said on Wednesday.

But a local health officer played down fears of a wider outbreak and said that the situation was under control and was contained in a residential area in the northern state.

The Sun newspaper reported that a local farmer was the first casualty a week ago. The 19 Indonesians and two locals, including a seven-year-old boy, have been hospitalized since Friday.

Authorities have initiated preventive measures including fumigation, residual spraying and blood screening in the township where the victims live.