Labuan records fewer dengue fever cases

LABUAN, Dec 10 -- The number of dengue fever cases on the duty-free island is falling as only 36 cases were reported, to date, compared to 98 cases during the same period last year.

Labuan Health Department director Dr Ismuni Bohari, however, described the situation as volatile in view of the current weather condition. 

“The people must continue checking mosquito breeding grounds in their residential areas and outside and inside their houses and cooperate with the health authorities to help control the outbreak,” he said to Bernama. 

He disclosed the only outbreaks were found in Kg Saguking compared to the last 12 years (when the locations were more numerous) with a number of hotspots detected.

Dr Ismuni said improper waste disposals, littering in vacant shop houses and clogged drains were among the reasons contributing to the outbreaks in the village.

“As such, stern action must be taken to prevent any more outbreak throughout the island. We also need the cooperation of the local communities to eradicate dengue effectively. Inspections will continue be carried out at dengue-prone areas,” he said.

A total 118,416 cases of dengue fever were reported nationwide from January until November 27, a 70 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2018.

Deputy Health Minister, Dr Lee Boon Chye said 164 deaths were reported in the same period this year compared to 118 deaths last year, namely, an increase of 46 cases (39 per cent).

"Several integrated actions have been implemented through the special dengue task force comprising various ministries, state governments and local authorities (PBT) including gotong royong and cleaning campaigns which are conducted twice a year in March and September," he said in an oral answering session in Dewan Rakyat on Dec 2.

In addition, Dr Lee said the ministry was implementing an innovative dengue control initiative, namely, the release of the eggs of the Aedes Wolbachia mosquito to replace the wild Aedes mosquito population carrying the dengue fever virus, in the effort to control the disease.

-- BERNAMA