SEREMBAN: Bathing pools at the Ulu Bendul Recreational Park will be closed to the public until Sept 26 for clean-up work, after three individuals who visited the area fell ill.

       All three, who have since been warded at the Tuanku Ja'afar Hospital, came down with fever, vomiting and diarrhoea after visiting the popular park.

       Two are believed to have leptospirosis, while the third may have a rotavirus infection.

       Kuala Pilah District Council chief Mohd Faizal Abdul Manap said the closure would also allow the authorities to carry out maintenance work in the area from Friday (Sept 24).

       "We decided to close following advice from the state health authorities. We regret the inconvenience," he said on Thursday (Sept 23).

       Earlier, state health director Datin Dr Harlina Abdul Rashid said the authorities were still probing the cases.

       "Based on the symptoms, we suspect two individuals have come down with leptospirosis, or rat urine disease, and another with rotavirus.

       "Prior to falling ill, all three had all visited the recreational park," she said.

       Dr Harlina said health authorities have also carried out a risk assessment and taken samples from the park.

       "In the meantime, we hope the people will always maintain a high degree of hygiene and wash their hands with clean water.

       "Avoid using or drinking water from the river and do not get into the water if you have a wound," she said.

       Dr Harlina also advised those who had visited the park recently and were showing similar symptoms to get treatment at the nearest health facility.

       "We would also like to remind the people to always adhere to Covid-19 prevention standard operating procedures, avoid crowded places, maintain social distancing and have your masks on when in public places," she added.