The Kulim district health office found that the victim had bathed at a picnic spot in Lata Sedim on March 8, with a group of friends. However, his friends did not experience any symptoms of being afflicted with rat fever.

The 18-year-old male victim, whose identity has been withheld, succumbed to the disease at about 5pm, at the hospital’s intensive care unit.

Kedah director of health Dr Norhizan Ismail said doctors confirmed the student died of pulmonary hemorrhage, suspected to have been caused by complications from rat urine infection.

In a statement here today, he said the teenager had shown symptoms of fever, headache and body aches on March 26 and was taken to the hospital’s emergency department at 5.15am on March 31.

“The student was sent directly to the ICU with persistent fever, abdominal pain and vomiting. He was pronounced dead on Friday. An initial medical examination indicated the student had shown signs and symptoms of leptospirosis and his blood sample was sent to the Institute of Medical Research in Kuala Lumpur for tests.”

Dr Norhizan advised the public to seek immediate treatment if they have fever, headache, muscle aches, nausea or vomiting, within two weeks of their last visit to recreation areas such as waterfalls, rivers, lakes and ponds.

— BERNAMA