File photo shows Health Department personnel gathering before the inspection on premises at an area in Sibu town centre.
SIBU: The number of dengue cases in the state has dropped by 70.4 per cent – thanks to concerted efforts by all quarters in the fight against the disease.
According to state Health Department director Dr Jamilah Hashim, 107 cases were reported between Jan 1 and March 11 this year in Sarawak, down from 361 cases recorded in the same period last year.
In the same Jan 1-March 11 period this year, 10,644 premises across the state underwent inspection to detect possible breeding grounds for the Aedes mosquito – the carrier of the dengue virus.
“From this total, 451 premises or 4.24 per cent have been found to be breeding Aedes mosquitoes.
“Of the total (451), 449 were residential premises – the remaining two were construction sites,” said Dr Jamilah when contacted yesterday.
She also said from the 107 dengue cases, only one was reported to have come from a construction site – the rest were from residential areas.
On the common breeding grounds at the premises found to contain Aedes larvae, Dr Jamilah said: “From 608 containers holding Aedes larvae, 20.6 per cent are plastic containers, 15.8 per cent pails, 14.6 per cent barrels, 8.5 per cent empty cans, and 5.3 per cent tyres.”
On fatality resulting from dengue this year, she said one was reported.
District-wise, she said Bau recorded 17 cases, followed by Sibu with 15; Asajaya (12); Miri (10); Belaga (seven); Kapit (six); Betong, Saratok, Mukah and Selangau with four cases each; Samarahan, Sri Aman, Tatau, Bintulu,
Limbang and Lawas with two cases each; and Lundu, Serian, Lubok Antu, Sarikei, Pakan, Kanowit and Marudi recorded one case each.