MARUDI: Malaria cases in the state have risen by 44 per cent this year with 934 cases reported from January to April compared to 526 in the same period last year.
ELIMINATE MALARIA: (From left) Miri Division Health officer Dr Faizul Mansoor, Dr Jamilah and Sarawak administrative officer (SAO) Rose Edward at the press conference.
Three people have died from Malaria this year – an 18-year-old girl from Sri Aman, a man from Sibu and another man from Kanowit. Last year, a total of eight patients died due to Malaria.
Sarawak Health Department deputy director Dr Jamilah Hashim announced this during a press conference here after launching the state-level World Malaria Day yesterday.
From the total cases this year, 477 or 51 per cent were from the Marudi District.
The Belaga District was next with 121 cases (13 per cent), followed by Bintulu with 72 cases (7.7 per cent).
Last year, 2,189 Malaria cases were recorded in Sarawak.
Dr Jamilah said officers from Marudi Hospital were trying to control the spread of Malaria in Penan settlements, particularly in Long Jengkitan, Ba Purau, Long Tikan, Long Bee and Ba Tau.
“To reach the area is very difficult but we really have to try our very best to prevent sickness, so it is very important to use sprays, use mosquito nets and take the medicine when you are infected,” she said.
She called on members of the Penan community who go on hunting trips to wear long-sleeved shirts as well as to avoid wearing shorts to sleep as mosquitoes tend to attack at night.
Dr Jamilah also reminded the people to maintain the cleanliness of their homes to prevent mosquitoes from breeding.