A file photo showing fogging activity in Sibu.
SIBU: The Communication for Behavioural Impact (Combi) has been implemented in Sarawak to galvanise a community-based approach to fight dengue where cumulative cases stood at 1,144 last Thursday.
State health director Datu Dr Zulkifli Jantan said Combi had been implemented in villages and longhouses, among others.
“Combi is among the mechanism to galvanise community-based approach to fight dengue.
“The programme can also instill a sense of responsibility among the community to concertedly take up efforts to eradicate the Aedes mosquito,” Dr Zulkifli told The Borneo Post.
He was asked if Combi had been implemented in Sarawak towards the prevention and control of dengue. On the overall dengue situation in the state, he replied that it has improved with fewer cases reported.
Meanwhile, based on the idengue website, Sarawak recorded a cumulative of 1,144 cases until Sept 5 this year with eight cases reported for that day. According to the same website, 10 dengue cluster areas were detected in Sibu.
These areas identified were Hua Kiew Road, Lai Chee Road, Oya Road, Pigeon Road, Kuok Ling Sawmill, Engkalat, Lane 1, Pulau Li Hua, Lane 5 & 7, Nanyang Garden, Manggis Lane, Lane 9, Hua Kiew Road and Merdeka Road.
Further, based on the statistics from Crisis Preparedness and Response Centre (CPRC) of state Health Department’s Communicable Disease Control Section for Epid Week 35 (Aug 24 till 30), 31 cases of dengue were reported.
Sibu District topped the statistics with cumulative cases at 423, followed by Miri (130); Kuching (94); Daro (58); Bintulu (48); Kapit (44); Saratok (38) and rest of the districts below 30 cases.
Asked if Combi could be implemented in the outbreak areas in Sibu to curb the disease, Dr Zulkifli said it was slightly difficult as such a programme would require the community in the affected areas to be better organised. Towards this end, the department repeated its call for the public to spend 10 minutes a week to search and destroy any mosquito breeding grounds in their area.
Any unwanted receptacles and the like, which could collect water, must be properly disposed of.
The symptoms of dengue, included high fever, headache, gastric pains, muscle pains and sometimes rashes. Dr Zulkifli advised those feeling unwell to seek immediate medical attention.