Disease fears after floods hit Malaysia

Fears of disease are growing in Malaysia's flood-devastated south today where more than 100,000 evacuees are crammed into emergency shelters.

Two people have died from leptospirosis, caused by exposure to water contaminated with the urine of animals such as rats, bringing the death toll from the worst floods in nearly 40 years to 15.

Health workers plan to step up inoculations against typhoid and fumigate mosquito-prone areas to guard against diseases such as dengue fever and malaria. Warnings have also been issued about cholera.

Tens of thousands of victims also faced food shortages following the return of heavy monsoon rains to southern states after last month's severe flooding.

There were also reported cases of looting from abandoned homes.