Dengue claims its first fatality in Miri

Dr Jamilah Hashim

MIRI, Oct 7 - A 68-year-old man from Taman Tunku in Miri, died of dengue on Sept 22, making his death the first in the area.

State Health Department director Dr Jamilah Hashim, said the man was diagnosed with dengue fever on Sept 19 and his cause of death was stated as "Severe Dengue With Multiorgan Failure”.

The death of the man marks the first death in Miri since the area, Jalan Kuching East 3 in Taman Tunku, was declared a dengue-prone area on July 25,  she said in a statement today.

Dr Jamilah said that between January to Oct 5 this year, a total of 248 dengue cases were recorded in Miri compared to 30 cases over the same period in 2018, an increase of 726.7 per cent.

“In the same period, 11 areas have been declared dengue-prone areas compared to only two in 2018, an increase of 450 percent,” she said.

She also said the public should, on a weekly basis, eradicate any potential breeding ground for the Aedes mosquitoes.

Dr Jamilah said that the public should also avoid being outdoors from 5am to 7am and from 5pm to 7pm, so as to prevent adult mosquito bites.

The public could also check or seek treatment at the nearest health clinic or follow the guidelines recommended by the Health Ministry by visiting its website at www.myhealth.gov.my or www.infosihat.gov.my, she added.

-- BERNAMA