Stagnant and contaminated water in flood-hit areas in Malaysia has raised new fears of infectious diseases, a top health official said as residents in Johor complained of rashes.

"Obviously the water is contaminated. And with stagnant and contaminated water, there are many disastrous possibilities," Ismail Merican, the director-general of the Health Ministry, was quoted as saying by the New Sunday Times newspaper.

Johor has been hit twice by deadly floods since December. Seventeen people have been killed and floods forced at least 100,000 people to abandon their homes.

Residents of the state's Parit Haji Sidekare village complained on Sunday that contaminated water that had overflowed from drains into their homes was causing skin rashes.

Rabiahtonpjari Sirapul Haq, 37 said many children in the village were suffering from rashes.

"Many children are getting rashes on their skin and complained of itchiness," she was quoted as saying by the Bernama news agency.

Quick clean up needed

Ismail said flooded areas must be cleaned up quickly.

"Many things have to be done, including disinfection, cleansing and educating the public on the importance of personal hygiene.

"People are also physically and mentally stressed and may come down with all sorts of ailments not related to infectious diseases, like fatigue, depression and anxiety," he said.

Ismail said the authorities had mobilised some 200 healthcare workers to combat disease.

"Our staff will go out and identify people who have been deprived of medication and health care.

"And when the water recedes, there is a distinct possibility of outbreaks of communicable diseases such as diarrhoea, food poisoning, typhoid and cholera. We have to be prepared," he added.