PUTRAJAYA: The Health Ministry anticipates the upward trend in dengue cases to persist until end of Ramadan and during Aidilfitri.
Minister Datuk Seri Dr S Subramaniam said this was based on dengue serotype shift, which occured in April, and last year’s cyclical pattern.
He said the cumulative cases of dengue reported from January to June 27 this year had shown an increase of 34 per cent or to 56,533 cases compared to 42,229 cases in the corresponding period last year.
A total of 162 death were also recorded during the period this year, an increase of 97.6 per cent from only 82 deaths last year, he told a press conference here yesterday.
“This shows that our country is experiencing a serious dengue crisis. So, now I call for cooperation from all Malaysians because our success in combating dengue will depend on the cooperation from all quarters,” he said.
Dr Subramaniam said abandoned houses and idle land were the biggest contributors to aedes breeding, which led to the spread of dengue virus in the country.
He said 77 per cent of the 56,533 dengue cases were reported in the two types of area.
As such, the minister called on the public to take their own initiatives to clean their land and housing areas.
“If they have water tanks or swimming pools, they are advised to use Abate, the chemical to kill aedes, which can be obtained at any health clinic for free,” he said.
He also advised the people to spray aerosol in the house, especially behind the curtains, under the tables, and hidden areas between 5 am and 7 am, and between 5pm and 7pm.
“I also hope all medical practitioners will have high index of suspicion for dengue and to make thorough examination on every suspected case,” he added. — Bernama