Poisoning cases involving children in Malaysia on the rise

KUALA LUMPUR – The number of calls related to poisoning cases in Malaysia is increasing, with most involving children aged below four, says the country’s National Poison Centre (NPC).

NPC chief pharmacist Sulastri Samsudin said the centre has encountered an estimated 1,200 to 1,300 cases in 2024 alone.

“Our annual data in 2023 showed that the total number of poisoning calls increased from 2,913 in 2022 to 3,153 in 2023. Most cases involved children aged below four,” she said on July 14.

This follows the case of

two brothers who were rushed to hospital

after eating snacks laced with rat poison near their home in Labu Besar in Kulim, Kedah.

According to Ms Sulastri, based on the 2024 data, Selangor, Johor, Perak, Sabah and Kedah were the top five states with the highest number of reports.

“The states involved may have contributing factors such as high population density or being industrial or plantation areas with extensive use of pesticides and industrial chemicals,” she said.

NPC data showed that there is an almost equal number of intentional and unintentional poisoning cases reported, Ms Sulastri said.

“However, the majority of unintentional cases, such as accidental ingestion of poison involving children, were preventable.

“In many cases, poisoning incidents occur due to human factors such as keeping poison in food containers,” she noted.

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia community health expert Sharifa Ezat Wan Puteh said members of the public, especially parents, should be extra careful with the use of poison, especially at home.

“Only professionals can handle poisons to get rid of pests, like rats, because it is dangerous if the items are not properly labelled.

“We don’t know the type of poison or the dose. In the case of poisoning rats, anticoagulant rodenticides are relatively common.

However, these have harmful effects on humans, including internal bleeding, so we must be fully equipped to handle such matters,” she said.

Dr Abu Hasan Samad, chairman of the Malaysian Federation for Occupational Safety and Health, said pesticides or any poisons used in the home or workplace should be stored responsibly.

“These items usually come in special containers and are labelled as such. If you transfer them in separate containers, label them appropriately so those around them know.

“If children are in the area, seal the poisons tightly and keep these out of reach,” he said.

He further emphasised the role of parents or guardians, adding that children may not comprehend the wording or warning labels on the packages.

“At the same time, parents must be sensitive to their children’s behaviour. If the situation happens to adults, they know when to seek help, but children may keep it to themselves.

“If you notice children experiencing discomfort, quickly seek medical help,” he said.

Dr Abu Hasan, who is also president of the Academy of Occupational and Environmental Medicine Malaysia, advised those with pest issues at home or in agricultural surroundings to seek professional help.

For those using pesticides at home to rid their homes of mosquitoes or other pests, Dr Abu Hasan also advised them to clear the area of items, like kitchen utensils, before doing so.

According to public health physician Zainal Ariffin Omar, most fatal accidental poisoning cases among children happen through oral ingestion.

“Usually, it happens through oral ingestion of food, drinks or other items contaminated by the poison due to improper storage and labelling of dangerous substances such as drugs and pesticides. Prevention can be done by proper storage, labelling and disposal,” he said.

He also called for increased public education on the issue as well as promoting proper usage, labelling and disposal. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK