Risk factors for leptospirosis during a flood disaster in Kelantan, Malaysia.

Sumarni Mohd Ghazali¹*, Tharmarajah Nagalingam², Kee Chee Cheong³, Zamtira Seman³, Nuur Hafizah Md Iderus¹, Fairuz Amran⁴, Norazah Ahmad⁴, Ahmad Faudzi Yusoff⁵

1. Biomedical Epidemiology Unit, Institute for Medical Research, National Institutes of Health, Ministry of Health, Setia Alam, 40170 Selangor, Malaysia.

2. Infection Control Unit, Kuala Lumpur Hospital, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Jalan Pahang, 50588 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

3. Biostatistics and Data Repository Sector, National Institutes of Health, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Setia Alam, 40170 Selangor, Malaysia.

4. Infectious Disease Research Centre, Institute for Medical Research, National Institutes of Health, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Malaysia, Setia Alam, 40170 Selangor, Malaysia.

5. SEAMEO TROPMED Malaysia, Institute for Medical Research, National Institutes of Health, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Malaysia

*Corresponding author: Sumarni Mohd Ghazali, Biomedical Epidemiology Unit, Special Resource Centre, Institute for Medical Research, Ministry of Health, Setia Alam, 40170 Selangor, Malaysia, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

CITATION: Mohd Ghazali S, Nagalingam T, Kee CC, Seman Z, Md Iderus NH, Amran F, et al. Risk factors for leptospirosis during a flood disaster in Kelantan, Malaysia. International Medical Research Journal. 2021 Jun;7(1):60–7.

Download Full Article

ABSTRACT
Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease caused by the Leptospira spirochete. These microorganisms are transmitted through stagnant water or soil via urine of wild and domestic animals which act as reservoir hosts. During flooding incidents, Leptospira spirochetes are dispersed in flood waters and may infect humans who come in contact with the water. The aim of this study is to assess the risk factors for leptospirosis during a major flood disaster in Kelantan at the end of December 2014 until early January 2015. A hospital-based case-control study was conducted from 12 - 30 January 2015 in the state of Kelantan, Malaysia. Leptospirosis cases were confirmed by microscopic agglutination test (MAT) or polymerase chain reaction (PCR). A standardized questionnaire was used to collect demographic and exposure information from both cases and controls. We recruited 54 confirmed leptospirosis cases and 119 controls. Multivariable logistic regression showed staying in flood relief centres (AOR: 4.23; 95% CI: 1.02, 17.53) and history of walking in floodwaters (6.16; 1.40, 27.21) were significantly associated with leptospirosis. Our findings suggest that risk of leptospirosis infection during major floods may be reduced by avoiding walking in floodwaters and ensuring high standards of hygiene and cleanliness in flood relief centers.

KEYWORDS: Leptospirosis, flood, zoonotic disease, Kelantan, Malaysia