Disease deaths

OFFICIALS in Malaysia have closed parks and warned the public about swimming and dumping rubbish in rivers after up to 10 people died from a disease spread by rats.

The latest reported death from the bacterial disease leptospirosis was on Saturday.

A 17-year-old boy in northern Kedah state had swum in a river and had a picnic with friends at a recreational park last month, the New Straits Times and The Star reported.