Some clinics in Selangor reported a slight increase in food poisoning cases during the state’s two-month-long water rationing exercise, according to The Star .

“There has been a slight increase but not a marked one. Of course, the areas that haven’t seen water rationing are probably better off,” the daily quoted an unnamed general practitioner as saying.

The paper polled several clinics, with some,but not all of them, confirming an increase in the number of food poisoning cases.

The report also quoted Universiti Malaya Specialist Centre gastro-enterologist Dr Khean Lee Goh speculating a link between the cases and poorer hygiene practices due to efforts to conserve water.

“One person doesn’t wash his hands and prepares 100 bowls of noodles. The people who eat those noodles will feel the effects,” Khean said.

“During water rationing, to save water, people might clean plates with wet towels, using just one pail of water.”