KUCHING: Sarawak registered a staggering 199.3 per cent increase in Dengue cases over the past 52 weeks, compared to the corresponding period from the previous year.Minister of Environment and Public Health Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh said that the number of cases leaped from 1,527 to 4,579.
“I know all of you have done your best in trying to clean places up, getting rid of stagnant water, run enforcement exercises and preventive measure.
“But there is no room for complacency. We should keep up the good work and try our best to minimise the occurrence of dengue as much as possible,” he said.
Wong was speaking at the annual environmental award 2009 for local councils on Monday night. The award judged councils based on four main aspects — environmental management, environmental awareness, landscaping, and public hygiene as well as general cleanliness.
Wong said hygiene was important, especially since councils were grappling with five diseases that spread through low standards of hygiene — Dengue, Influenza A (H1N1), Chikungunya, Malaria, and Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease.
“The award is not important as far as monetary value is concerned, but has great intrinsic and intangible value,” he said.
The award, he added, presented an opportunity for public recognition for deserving councils for their accomplishment and leadership in environmental conservation apart from maintaining the town’s environment clean, safe and beautiful.