PUTRAJAYA, MALAYSIA - Those in Terengannu suffering from diarrhoea or vomiting should seek immediate medical attention, said Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai.

This, he added, was because of the outbreak in the state of a new strain of cholera that has already caused one death.

He said severe dehydration from vomiting or diarrhoea would affect vital organs, especially the kidneys and if help was not sought quickly enough, the patient could die from organ failure.

"The current outbreak in Terengganu is caused by a new strain that is resistant to the antibiotics usually used to treat cholera.

"Although we can still treat it, we want those suffering from such symptoms to go to the nearest medical facility quickly to ensure early diagnosis," Liow told a press conference after attending the National Food Safety and Dietary Council meeting and launching the Infants and Children's feeding guidelines here yesterday.

Liow said there have been 174 confirmed cholera cases in the state since the outbreak on Nov 11 and it was suspected to have been due to food, especially ice-cubes, that was not hygienically prepared.

He said all those confirmed suffering from cholera were warded in hospitals and only allowed to return home if there was no trace of the bacteria in their faeces for three consecutive days. Hospitals in the state have so far discharged 33 of the patients.

"We have already dispatched a surveillance team to start conducting checks to identify the source of the problem and expect it to complete the task soon.

"We want to advise the people to observe good hygiene in food preparation, eat cooked food and avoid eating in shops where the cleanliness is questionable," he said.

Liow also said the outbreak in Terengganu was not caused by the recent floods and did not involve any of those placed in various flood relief centres.