Beladin a dengue hotspot

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5 cases detected last week, breeding rate high and larvae found in discarded receptacles

KUALA LUMPUR: The Health Ministry yesterday reported a dengue hotspot in Beladin in the Betong District of Sarawak where five cases of the mosquito-borne disease were detected in the week ending Oct 13.

Director-general of Health Datuk Seri Dr Hasan Abdul Rahman said in a statement that the breeding rate of the Aedes mosquito there was high, at 3.4 per cent, and larvae was found in discarded plastic containers and tins at two of 59 premises inspected.

“A notice was issued to the owners of the premises to have their surroundings cleaned up,” he said, adding that four ‘gotong royong’ activities involving 1,691 people were carried out to destroy the breeding places of the Aedes mosquitoes.

He said the disease was also detected at Rumah Patsy Selah in Sarikei, where nine cases were reported, and at the Desa Palma Apartments in Seremban, Negeri Sembilan, where five cases were reported.

Hasan said during the week ending Oct 13, a total of 337 cases were reported nationwide compared with 389 in the previous week.

Three states recorded an increase in the number of cases compared with the previous week, he said, adding that they were Kelantan (a rise of 10 cases), Pahang (five) and Johor (four).

The cumulative total from January to Oct 13 this year was 17,066 cases compared with 15,376 in the corresponding period last year, he said.

The number of deaths from the disease so far this year was 27 compared with 26 during the corresponding period last year, he added.

Meanwhile in Kuching, Assistant Minister of Public Health Dr Jerip Susil said in all cases of dengue outbreak, the Ministry of Health will immediately send full medical teams to the affected locations to trace and contain the source or sources of the outbreak as well as conduct further surveillance to monitor the situation.

“Every case will be monitored as well as the families affected,” he said yesterday when contacted by The Borneo Post.

He urged residents living in the identified areas to take preventive measures seriously and assume personal responsibility to ensure their safety.

“They should render full cooperation to the medical teams and the local councils to ensure that all breeding sites are eradicated,” he said, adding that anyone showing symptoms of dengue such as high fever and rashes should seek immediate medical attention.

In view of the landas season, Dr Jerip also advised the public to stay vigilant and exercise extra precaution against dengue. — Agencies