KOTA KINABALU: The State Health Department has been urged to proactive in combating dengue in the state capital.
Api Api assemblywoman Christina Liew said the department should proceed to carry out fogging in high risk areas and not wait until an outbreak of dengue fever.
Commenting on the statement by Sabah Health Director Dr Christina Rundi that Kota Kinabalu recorded the most number of dengue cases in Sabah at 361, Liew said the director did not elaborate on what kind of actions have been taken by the department or other relevant authorities when more than two cases happened in one particular area.
“In fact, in any areas which pose potential danger of dengue fever, due to dirty environment or any other reasons, the Health Department should start fogging water-based insecticides in these areas and not wait until there is an outbreak of dengue fever,” the PKR Sabah deputy liaison chief said.
Liew said a team from her office had visited some of the areas in and around the state capital in the last two months and found that many of the back lanes of shop lots were filthy with clogged drains and stagnant water.
These are potential breeding grounds for the Aedes mosquitoes, she said, adding that they have raised the matter with the City Hall.
“We will return to visit some of these areas and hopefully the problem areas as pointed out by the residents in the respective areas have been cleaned up.
“We will also visit some of the areas where dengue outbreak has been reported, including Kampung Air and Bandaran Berjaya.
“We will also be visiting housing areas, especially those with open spaces and drainage systems.
“We will inform the Health Department immediately about areas having potential Aedes breeding ground and request the department to conduct fogging in these areas,” she added.