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Stochastic modeling approaches have attracted many researchers to the field. However, fire hotspot detection suffers from not using a Markov chain quasi-Monte Carlo (MCQMC) as a forecasting methodology. This paper proposes improvements to the computational time by combining the strengths of the Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) and quasi-Monte Carlo (QMC) methods. The proposed method can lead to more precise and stable results, particularly in problems with high-dimensional integration or complex probability distributions. The proposed method is applied to a case study of fire hotspot detection in Sarawak, Malaysia. The outcome of this study reveals that the MCQMC method is more computationally efficient, taking only 0.0746 seconds compared to MCMC's 0.0914 seconds and QMC's 0.0994 seconds. It is shown that the best option derived by the proposed method is effective in predicting fire hotspots and providing quick solutions to protect the environment and communities from forest fires., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Co-infection of melioidosis and leptospirosis is uncommon. We report here four such cases, confirmed by blood culture for melioidosis and blood polymerase-chain reaction for leptospirosis, which occurred among rescuers involved in a search and rescue operation for a young man who was suspected to have drowned in Lubuk Yu, a recreational forest in Pahang, Malaysia. Despite treatment, three of the patients died from the co-infection.

We analyzed the epidemiological data of all people who were involved in the search and rescue operation in Lubuk Yu, a natural recreational forest with waterfall and stream. The hospital admission records of the cases who fulfilled the case definition and the environmental samples result taken at Lubuk Yu recreational area were studied. 153 people were exposed to this outbreak, 85 (55.5%) were professional rescuers from various government agencies and 68 (44.5%) were villagers. 21 fulfilled the case definition. Ten cases were confirmed melioidosis, six melioidosis alone and four coinfected with leptospirosis. There were eight deaths in this outbreak, seven were villagers and one professional rescuer. Overall case fatality was 70%. All confirmed melioidosis cases and seven who died had diabetes mellitus. The morbidity rate were higher among the villagers, 23.5% compared to professional rescuers, 5.9%. The case fatality rate were also higher in this group which was 100% compared to 33.3% in professional rescuers. The soil and water samples in Lubuk Yu recreational area were positive for leptospira and Burkholderia pseudomallei. The presence of co-infection and co-morbidities especially diabetes mellitus among the exposed led to the high mortality in this outbreak hence a high index of suspicion is important among the healthcare professionals in the management of melioidosis cases. To avoid similar incident in future, search and rescue operation should be only conducted by professional rescuers with appropriate personal protective equipment. A register of rescuers should be maintained for surveillance and follow up if necessary.