SIBU: The cramped residential areas surrounding Tiong Hua Road have become a dengue hotspot with 250 cases already reported in Sibu as the worst-hit town for the current outbreak in the state.
Classified as Zone 7 by the Health Office here, the areas include the right side of Brooke Drive, Hua Kiew Road, Merlin Lane, Lai Chee Lane, Rambutan Lane, Emplam Lane, Belian Lane, Tiong Hua Road, Langsat Lane, Foochow Lane, Chew Sik Hiong Road and the left side of Pedada Road.
Compounding the problem further is neighbouring Zone 5, which records the second highest with 124 cases. The flood prone low-lying cramped residential area includes the right side of Pedada, Tong Sang Road, Kapor Road, Bukit Assek Road and from Amoy Road to Aman Road.
In an anti-dengue talk hosted by SUPP Tiong Hua Road Service Centre on Sunday at Merlin Lane’s basketball court, health officer Chong Zin Hin said they were going to the root of the community to contain the spread.
“We are all out in our checks, and fogging has intensified. But, such an effort is insufficient unless the residents work fully with us,” he said.
The health officer said they were promoting the community fight by advising the public to spend five minutes weekly to check on their home surroundings for the mosquito breeding grounds.
“Why five minutes weekly? It is because it takes the larvae seven days to grow, and before the Aedes mosquitoes become active, they should be eliminated,” Chong added.
He said when a case was reported, it meant there was a viral carrier mosquito in that residential area, and authorities would immediately move in to fog.
Chong warned there was no cure for dengue and medical remedy was only for supportive treatment.
He said dengue incubation period was between three and six days with symptoms include fever, vomiting, joint and muscle pains, rashes, and in serious cases, bleeding.
Chong called on the residents not to let these dreadful cases to continue skyrocketing.
“The rainy season has come. Do not let unwanted items lying around collecting rain water for the insect breeding grounds,” he warned.
He said residents should to take the initiative to keep up with the weekly five-minute check.
“There is no time to waste. Work with our Health Office and Sibu Municipal Council now,” said Chong. About 400 residents braved the drizzle to listen to Chong at the open-air basketball court.
Also present were councillor Chieng Buong Toon, SUPP Tiong Hua Road Service Centre chairman Siek King Kwong and organising chairman Michael Lau.