KUALA LUMPUR, July 24 — Pasir Gudang students who suffered breathing difficulties and vomiting have been referred for psychiatric treatment due to concerns about anxiety and trauma.
Bernama reported Johor state health department director Dr Selahuddeen Aziz as saying that several parents had asked why their children were referred to a psychiatric unit at a government hospital.
“Early detection of anxiety will help the students overcome the problem before it worsens,” Dr Selahuddeen was quoted saying after visiting SK Tanjung Puteri Resort.
“Like in other illnesses, there are physical and psychological aspects involved. So we want to treat both. This is the whole process of treatment,” he added.
He reportedly said adult victims were also referred for psychiatric treatment.
Authorities have yet to uncover the cause of the health problems that afflicted over 1,000 people, mostly students, in Pasir Gudang since last month with breathing difficulties and nausea.
Mohd Khuzzan Abu Bakar, the Johor state executive councillor in charge of health, even suggested yesterday that bird droppings at SK Tanjung Puteri Resort could be one of the factors behind the health conditions affecting pupils.
