The health agency said most cases involve farmers, who are often exposed to mud and water contaminated with the urine of infected animals while working in rice fields.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines leptospirosis as a bacterial disease spread through the urine of infected animals and can be contracted through contact with contaminated water or soil, particularly after floods.

Doxycycline, a drug that belongs to the class of medicines known as tetracycline antibiotics and is used to treat bacterial infections, is typically administered based on a doctor’s assessment. The DOH said doxycycline is available at health facilities. It also cautioned the public against self-medication due to the risks of antibiotic resistance, incorrect dosage and timing, and potentially harmful side effects and contraindications.

The agency said joint government efforts are needed to educate farmers on prevention and workplace safety.

Schomos, which operates under the Malaysian Medical Association, said a survey of 100 affected specialists found that at least 23 wanted to quit, with 51 undecided on whether to continue in the public healthcare system, and only 26 indicating they would reapply next year.

It said the survey was conducted informally among doctors affected by the health ministry’s decision to reject their applications for the advanced specialist training programme, also known as the sub-specialist programme, for 2026/2027.

“As long as the health ministry does not issue complete official data, this is the only picture available,” the doctors’ body said in a Facebook post.

Schomos said most of the affected doctors were specialists who obtained their qualifications through the master’s pathway, which classifies them as being on paid study leave throughout their training.

It claimed that 98% of the 307 successful applicants came from the parallel pathway programme, despite both pathways requiring trainees to perform the same clinical duties in hospitals during their training.

When contacted by FMT, a Schomos spokesman said the health ministry and the Public Services Department (JPA) had rejected the applications on grounds that the doctors were considered to have been on study leave.

This means the doctors did not have the three consecutive years of annual performance evaluation required for admission into the advanced training programme.

“Although they were on study leave, they were performing all the duties of a doctor in the wards. They also carried out on-call duties, among others. So whose fault is it that they were not evaluated?” the spokesman said.

“No one stayed home throughout the programme to study. You need the clinical experience. This is a technical snag that the JPA and ministry must rectify.”

The spokesman said that the rejections could deal a significant blow to the public healthcare system, noting that the affected doctors had an average age of 38 and had collectively contributed almost 1,100 years of specialist service.

“To make matters worse, about 23% were from Sabah and Sarawak, where the specialist shortage was very critical.

“Not only will the waiting period in hospitals increase, but surgeries too will have to be postponed if these specialists quit, ” he said.

Source: FMT

The disease broadly falls into two categories: acute and chronic. Acute forms develop quickly and require prompt diagnosis and treatment, while chronic types progress more slowly and may sometimes be monitored before treatment begins.

Regardless of type, early detection plays a crucial role in improving outcomes. But it can be hard to detect.

Unlike many other cancers, leukaemia does not form a visible lump or tumour. There is also no routine population screening programme. Diagnosis often depends on recognising early symptoms and confirming them through a simple blood test.

The challenge is that many early warning signs can be subtle and easily mistaken for common illnesses or everyday fatigue. People may dismiss symptoms or rely on home remedies, delaying medical evaluation.

Recognising early symptoms can make a significant difference. Some common warning signs include:

• persistent fatigue or weakness;
• recurrent or prolonged fever;
• frequent infections;
• easy bruising or bleeding;
• unexplained weight loss;
• swollen lymph nodes;
• bone or joint pain;
• pale skin.

In some cases, leukaemia may not cause obvious symptoms in its early stages. However, a simple full blood count test can often provide early clues and prompt further investigation.

Treatment has come a long way

A common misconception is that all blood cancers are fatal. In reality, treatment outcomes have improved significantly in recent years; in fact, certain types of leukaemia – particularly some subtypes and childhood cases – are now considered potentially curable.

Advances in diagnostics have also improved doctors’ ability to identify and classify blood cancers more accurately. Modern testing methods include flow cytometry, genetic analysis, and molecular testing, which help doctors tailor treatment to individual patients.

Treatment options have expanded as well. Many patients now benefit from targeted therapies, improved supportive care, and infection prevention measures.

In addition, stem-cell transplantation programmes have become more advanced, while emerging treatments such as CAR T-cell therapy are beginning to offer new hope for selected patients.

Awareness can save lives

Raising public awareness is key to improving early detection. Global initiatives such as blood cancer awareness month every September play a part.

In Malaysia, public healthcare facilities such as klinik kesihatan and government hospitals regularly conduct sessions to help communities identify warning signs and seek timely care.

NGOs and private-sector groups also play an important role. Organisations such as the National Cancer Society Malaysia and Majlis Kanser Nasional (Makna) organise outreach programmes, social media campaigns, and free or subsidised health screenings.

As leukaemia continues to affect Malaysians of all ages, staying alert to early symptoms can make a lifesaving difference. Parents, teachers, employers and community leaders all have a role to play in encouraging timely medical check-ups and not dismissing symptoms as minor or harmless.

Source: FMT

He said the programme would be fully funded by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and MOH, meaning patients would no longer have to pay for medicine deliveries.

“The service will be managed and borne entirely by MCMC and KKM, so patients will no longer need to pay.

“We will discuss and align several matters to make the delivery process easier,” he said.

According to Fahmi, the initiative will be funded using Federal Government allocations, with the annual cost estimated at RM5.69mil.

He said the government hopes to begin implementing the arrangement as early as July in every state.

“If possible, we want to start as soon as possible.

“By July, we hope to begin in every state so that the cost does not have to be borne by any party, especially the patients.

“It will be fully covered by the government,” he said.

Fahmi said the programme serves patients from various disease categories and household income groups, adding that eligibility is determined entirely by MOH.

“We are not involved in selecting the patients. That is completely under MOH.

“However, since the service is provided through Pos Malaysia, which is a licensee under MCMC, we will manage the programme,” he said.

He said this in his speech at the signing ceremony of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the MOH and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) for the Persada initiative.

Also present was Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.

Fahmi said he was informed that around 80,000 patients use the service each month.

He said the programme would be fully funded by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and MOH, meaning patients would no longer have to pay for medicine deliveries.

“The service will be managed and borne entirely by MCMC and KKM, so patients will no longer need to pay.

“We will discuss and align several matters to make the delivery process easier,” he said.

According to Fahmi, the initiative will be funded using Federal Government allocations, with the annual cost estimated at RM5.69mil.

He said the government hopes to begin implementing the arrangement as early as July in every state.

“If possible, we want to start as soon as possible.

“By July, we hope to begin in every state so that the cost does not have to be borne by any party, especially the patients.

“It will be fully covered by the government,” he said.

Fahmi said the programme serves patients from various disease categories and household income groups, adding that eligibility is determined entirely by MOH.

“We are not involved in selecting the patients. That is completely under MOH.

“However, since the service is provided through Pos Malaysia, which is a licensee under MCMC, we will manage the programme,” he said.

Source: The Star

“The first time was in 2014, just one day before Hari Raya,” she recalled. “I had been having a fever for a few days, but I thought it was nothing serious.”

When her condition worsened, she was admitted to hospital and diagnosed with dengue. At that time, she was in Penang with her husband’s family and far from her elderly mother, who was in Terengganu.

Related: Dengue cases rise 20.7% nationwide, says Dzulkefly

Meanwhile, unknown to her, her mother had also been running a fever for several days, but had not sought treatment.

“She was actually preparing to come and visit me,” Pn Syelina said. “But before she could, she collapsed in the bathroom. There was so much blood.”

Her mother was rushed to hospital and diagnosed with dengue haemorrhagic fever, a severe and potentially fatal form of the disease.

“I was in hospital, and she was in ICU, in another state,” she said. “I couldn’t go to her. That was the hardest part.”

That year, Hari Raya was not a celebration, but a fight for survival, and instead of coming together, dengue stole one of their most precious family moments, replacing joy with fear and separation.

“I had my Raya in the hospital bed. My mother had hers in ICU,” she said. “We weren’t celebrating together, we were just holding on and praying that both of us would make it to see each other again.”

Doctors warned that her mother’s condition was critical.

“She was unconscious, losing a lot of blood and needed transfusions,” she said. “It was terrifying.”

Pn Syelina was discharged after 10 days, earlier than planned, so she could travel immediately to Terengganu to be by her mother’s side. After three weeks in hospital, including time in ICU, her mother eventually recovered.

More than a decade later, in 2025, dengue struck again.

This time, Pn Syelina fell ill first, followed shortly by her eight-year-old daughter.

“At first, it was just a fever.” she said. “But by the fourth day, my daughter became very weak. Her platelet count kept dropping.”

Her condition deteriorated rapidly, developing severe dengue with plasma leakage. As her daughter’s platelet count plunged to single digits, she faced a high risk of bleeding and was admitted to the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) for close monitoring.

“At that moment, fear completely took over,” she said. “All I could think about was what happened to my mother 11 years ago. I kept imagining history repeating itself… and if I’m about to go through that all over again, but this time, with my daughter.”

Even as Pn Syelina battled dengue herself, she made the difficult decision to be discharged early so she could be admitted to the same hospital as her daughter.

“I didn’t want her to go through it alone,” she said.

As mother and daughter remained in hospital, the burden of everything at home fell solely on her husband, who had to shoulder it all on his own.

“He had to manage everything – his job at the bank, my events business, our staff, and our son at home,” she said. “At the same time, he was worried about both of us in hospital. It was a lot for one person, and he struggled to keep things going.”

Beyond the medical crisis, it was the disruption to everyday family life that weighed most heavily, with loved ones separated, routines broken, and one person left carrying the full responsibility of care and keeping the household running.

“We missed home the most,” she said. “What we longed for wasn’t just recovery, but to feel safe together again as a family…back in our own space, living our normal life.”

Today, even after recovery, the impact remains.

“Whenever I see mosquitoes now, I feel anxious,” she admitted. “Even my family is more careful. We avoid going out during rainy days because we are afraid.”

Having experienced dengue twice, her perspective has changed completely.

“The second time was worse. Even after I was discharged, the exhaustion lingered and I still felt very tired for weeks,” she said. “Now the fear continues to stay with me. I’m worried – what if it happens again?”

A disease still underestimated

According to Dr Anis Siham binti Zainal Abidin, Consultant Paediatrician and Paediatric Intensive Care specialist, dengue continues to be dangerously underestimated, largely because it often begins like a common viral fever.

“The reality is that dengue can turn severe very quickly, and there is no specific cure,” she explained. “Within 24 hours, a patient can deteriorate and be fighting for their life.”

Warning signs such as persistent high fever (39 – 40°C), abdominal pain, fatigue and vomiting should never be ignored, she stressed.

Severe dengue typically develops after the fever subsides, and can lead to life-threatening complications including plasma leakage, bleeding and organ failure.

“When blood vessels leak, fluid can accumulate in the lungs and abdomen, making breathing difficult. At the same time, platelet levels drop, increasing the risk of bleeding. This combination can quickly lead to organ dysfunction,” she said.

For Pn Syelina’s case, Dr Anis added, highlights a critical reality: dengue does not discriminate.

“It affects all age groups, from young children to the elderly, and infection can happen more than once because there are four different strains of the virus,” she said. “In fact, second infections of a different strain can carry a higher risk of severe dengue.”

Prevention Is key to protection

With no cure for dengue, prevention remains the most effective defence. Dr Anis urges Malaysians to adopt a proactive approach:

• Eliminate breeding grounds: Even small amounts of stagnant water in containers, drains or household items can become mosquito breeding sites.

• Protect against bites: Use repellents, wear protective clothing and install screens or mosquito nets.

• Seek early medical care: Dengue can now be detected as early as the first day of symptoms – early diagnosis can save lives.

• Speak to your doctor about dengue vaccination.

“At the end of the day, we need to shift our mindset,” said Dr Anis. “Too often, people think ‘it won’t happen to me’, until it does, and precious family moments are suddenly taken away when it’s already too late.”

For families like Pn Syelina’s, the lesson is painfully clear – surviving dengue is only part of the story, living with the fear of it coming back is another.

“When dengue happens, it’s already too late to wish you had done more,” she said. “No one should have to lose precious moments together like Raya to understand how serious it is, because by then, it’s already too late to protect the moments that matter most.”

Health minister Dzulkefly Ahmad said the situation in Sabah was more concerning, with the state recording a sharp 50.4% increase to 2,866 cases, compared with 1,905 cases during the same period last year.

Dzulkefly said several districts in Sabah had been identified as the main contributors to the state’s caseload, namely Kota Kinabalu, Kota Marudu, Tawau, Sandakan, Penampang and Putatan.

“We know that this surge falls within the expected cyclical trend of infections that occurs every four to five years, but we must remain vigilant in dealing with the situation,” he said.

Earlier, he officiated the national-level Asean Dengue Day, World Malaria Day, and a mega gotong-royong held in conjunction with the 2026 National Healthy Malaysia Agenda roadshow at the Manggatal Community Hall here.

Dzulkefly said that apart from the cyclical trend, the health ministry had identified a shift in the circulating dengue virus sub-variants, with the DEN-3 sub-variant now becoming dominant, as a contributing factor to the rise in cases.

To address the challenge, the ministry had introduced a new strategic approach based on behavioural insights through the dengue-free community (KomBeD) programme.

“We are introducing several new initiatives, drawing on behavioural economics and human behaviour, including how people can be influenced or nudged towards positive change.

“The nudging strategy is aimed at encouraging behavioural change. People may be aware of what needs to be done, but that alone does not necessarily lead to action. Awareness and literacy are not enough. We need to create conditions that enable people to change, with support from both the federal and state governments,” he said.

He said KomBeD focuses on three key strategies: environmental interventions, community empowerment and a whole-of-society approach, including the strengthening of entomological surveillance.

Source: FMT

The clarification follows the circulation of an internal alert letter issued by the Terengganu State Health Department (JKNT) on June 3, which recently went viral on social media.

JKNT said the letter was distributed to healthcare facilities across the state to strengthen preparedness and enhance early detection efforts following a rise in imported malaria cases since early May.

Of the 17 cases reported, 13 involved human malaria infections while four were zoonotic malaria cases.

Among the human malaria cases, 11 involved undocumented migrants, while two were recorded among documented foreign nationals.

“All cases were contracted outside the country and classified as imported cases,” JKNT said in a statement.

The department stressed that Terengganu continues to maintain its zero local human malaria status, with no local transmission detected among residents or foreign nationals in the state.

It said all cases were identified early, treated promptly and transmission chains successfully interrupted.

Despite the absence of local infections, JKNT said it remains vigilant as imported malaria cases could increase the risk of local transmission.

To contain the disease, JKNT have intensified surveillance and contact tracing activities, stepped up vector control measures, ensured all positive cases receive complete treatment, and issued alerts to healthcare facilities statewide.

Health education campaigns are also being carried out in high-risk localities, particularly settlements housing foreign workers, while coordination efforts continue through district-level action committees.

JKNT urged the public to avoid speculation and rely on official MOH channels for updates on the malaria situation.

The department reaffirmed its commitment to protecting public health and maintaining Terengganu’s malaria-free local transmission status.

Schematic of the fluorescent nanosensor platform showing rapid detection of indole-3-propionic acid (IPA) and differentiation between healthy and diseased samples. (Photo: NIE/NTU)

Researchers from the National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University (NIE NTU) Singapore, and the Singapore- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART) in collaboration with clinicians from the National University Hospital (NUH) and Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore (NUS Medicine), have developed a new fluorescent nanosensor capable of rapidly detecting indole-3-propionic acid (IPA), an emerging biomarker linked to gut health and disease.

IPA is a metabolite produced by gut bacteria during the breakdown of dietary tryptophan, an amino acid essential for protein synthesis. It plays an important role in regulating inflammation and oxidative stress and has been associated with conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), type 2 diabetes, and liver disease. However, current detection methods rely on mass spectrometry-based analytical techniques that are costly and time-consuming, making them impractical for routine screening or point-of-care use.

Pioneering optical nanosensor for IPA detection

The newly developed platform is the first reported optical nanosensor specifically designed to detect IPA, addressing a long-standing gap in gut metabolite sensing. Using a fluorescence-based approach, the sensor produces a rapid optical readout within minutes, providing a significantly faster and more accessible alternative to conventional analytical techniques.

The nanosensor demonstrates high selectivity, distinguishing IPA from closely related metabolites commonly found in the gut. This enables accurate detection even in complex biological environments such as blood serum.

According to Assistant Professor Mervin Ang of NIE, who is a co-first author and was formerly Associate Scientific Director at SMART DiSTAP when the research began, the technology represents the first direct and rapid optical measurement of IPA levels in biological samples. He explained that moving beyond traditional mass spectrometry could lead to faster and more accessible approaches for monitoring gut health in real-world settings.

From agricultural sensing to human health

The breakthrough nanosensor, which was detailed in the paper , Fluorescent Nanosensor for Indole-3-Propionic Acid Detection in Gut Health Monitoring, published in Advanced Healthcare Materials, builds on research conducted by SMART’s Disruptive & Sustainable Technologies for Agricultural Precision (DiSTAP) interdisciplinary research group. Originally developed to monitor plant health, including plant growth signals and stress responses, the technology was adapted for human health applications by redesigning the nano- and optical-sensing platform to detect IPA.

Professor Michael Strano, SMART DiSTAP Lead Principal Investigator and Carbon P. Dubbs Professor of Chemical Engineering at MIT, stated that the technology originated from molecular recognition techniques previously used to measure hormones and metabolites in living plants. Applying these techniques to the human gastrointestinal system enabled researchers to address a long-standing challenge in gut health monitoring.

Strano added that focusing molecular recognition on IPA had demonstrated a promising tool that could eventually support proactive and personalized healthcare by providing near-instant insights into gut wellness and chronic disease status, including IBD.

Dual-mode sensing capability

A key innovation of the technology is its dual-mode sensing capability. The nanosensor operates in a visible fluorescence mode, enabling rapid, low-cost, and high-throughput screening of biological samples. It also functions in a near-infrared mode, with wavelengths capable of penetrating deeper into tissues.

This near-infrared capability creates opportunities for in vivo applications and integration into wearable devices for home-based testing or continuous monitoring. Such applications could help patients with chronic conditions, including IBD, detect flare-ups earlier and manage their health more independently.

The platform’s flexibility enables use in a variety of settings, ranging from laboratory testing and hospital bedside diagnostics to wearable devices for real-time health monitoring.

Clinical validation

To assess its clinical relevance, the research team collaborated with clinicians from NUH to evaluate the nanosensor using 125 human plasma samples from multiple patient groups, including healthy individuals and patients with gastrointestinal diseases.

The study revealed significant differences in IPA levels between healthy individuals and patients with inflammatory bowel diseases, including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Patients experiencing active gut inflammation exhibited lower IPA levels, consistent with established clinical findings.

Adjunct Associate Professor Jonathan Lee, Senior Consultant in the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at NUH and NUS Medicine and a co-first author of the study, indicated that a rapid and minimally complex method for assessing metabolites such as IPA could be highly valuable in clinical settings. He suggested that the technology could complement existing diagnostic tools and provide additional insights into patients with inflammatory bowel diseases.

Potential for personalized healthcare

The research may pave the way for faster and more accessible gut health testing. Rather than relying on complex and time-intensive laboratory methods, the nanosensor could support rapid screening in clinics and potentially enable portable or home-based testing. Such capabilities may facilitate earlier disease detection and simplify treatment monitoring.

Unlike conventional microbiome tests that focus on identifying which bacteria are present, the nanosensor measures what those microbes are actively producing. This provides a more direct and functional assessment of gut health. Measuring metabolite output rather than bacterial composition alone may generate more meaningful insights into overall health and support personalized healthcare strategies.

Broader applications

Apart from clinical diagnostics, the technology could be used to evaluate the immediate effectiveness of dietary interventions. Users may be able to determine quickly whether specific foods or probiotics are promoting the production of anti-inflammatory molecules such as IPA.

The sensor also demonstrated reliable performance in complex biological fluids, including serum and plasma, marking an important step toward clinical deployment and broader translational applications.

In pharmaceutical and therapeutic research, the nanosensor could facilitate rapid functional testing of new therapeutics and probiotics. By providing immediate IPA measurements, the platform may allow researchers to confirm biological activity and effectiveness in real time, potentially accelerating drug screening and dosage optimization.

Assistant Professor Ang shared that the transition from laboratory discovery to a point-of-care clinical tool is already underway. With further development, the platform could be translated into clinical applications and, over the longer term, adapted into portable systems for routine health monitoring.

Photo: University of Nottingham

Weakened tooth enamel can lead to tooth decay, infections, and tooth loss. It has also been linked to conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Unlike other tissues in the body, enamel does not naturally regenerate once it is lost. Current treatments, including fluoride varnishes and remineralization products, only manage the effects of enamel damage rather than restoring it.

Researchers from the University of Nottingham School of Pharmacy and Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering have developed a bioinspired material that could help regenerate damaged enamel, strengthen healthy teeth, and prevent future decay. The study, conducted with an international team of researchers, was published in Nature Communications.

The protein-based gel is fluoride-free and can be applied in the same way dentists use standard fluoride treatments. According to the researchers, the material mimics the natural proteins involved in enamel formation during infancy.

When applied to teeth, the gel forms a thin protective layer that fills small holes and cracks. It then acts as a scaffold, drawing calcium and phosphate ions from saliva to promote the controlled growth of new minerals through a process called epitaxial mineralization. This process allows the new mineral layer to integrate with existing tooth tissue while restoring the structure and properties of healthy enamel.

Researchers also found that the material can be applied to exposed dentine, where it forms an enamel-like layer. According to the study, this may help treat tooth sensitivity and improve the bonding of dental restorations.

Dr Abshar Hasan, a Postdoctoral Fellow and leading author of the study said dental enamel has a unique structure that protects teeth from physical, chemical, and thermal damage throughout life. He added that the new material promotes organized crystal growth on damaged enamel and exposed dentine, helping recover the architecture of natural healthy enamel.

The Health Ministry (MoH), in a statement today, said that although neighbouring countries had reported a recent rise in cases, Malaysia recorded a 12.6 per cent drop in infections to 9,682 cases up to Epidemiological Week (EW) 19/2026, compared with the same period last year.

It said there was a slight week-on-week increase of 0.7 per cent (575 cases compared with EW18/2026), but the overall situation remained under control.

“The vast majority of reported cases involve only mild symptoms that do not require hospital treatment, and no Covid-19-related deaths have been recorded thus far this year,” it said.

MoH said ongoing genomic sequencing had detected several new subvariants circulating in the community, but none showed signs of triggering a severe wave of infections.

It added that the ministry would continue to strengthen screening at international entry points in collaboration with the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (MCBA), to ensure early detection and response to any imported risks.

Covid-19 is now being managed as a common respiratory infection such as influenza, the ministry said, adding that the public should continue practising preventive measures, including good hygiene, mask-wearing when symptomatic or in crowded places, and vaccination.

Vaccination, it said, was strongly encouraged for high-risk groups including senior citizens, those with chronic illnesses, immunocompromised individuals and pregnant women, with services available at selected government clinics nationwide.

Recently, Singapore reported a rise in Covid-19 cases, recording 12,700 infections for the week of May 10 to 16, up from 8,000 in the previous week.