WHO warns cyclical spike in dengue cases, 11 now dead in MalaysiaBy Neville Spykerman
SHAH ALAM, Feb 2 — Selangor health officials are bracing to contain an anticipated sharp increase in dengue cases following 11 deaths, eight of which happened in the state last month.
“According to the World Health Organization (WHO) the number of dengue cases spike in two year cycles and the situation this year may get out of control if not contained.” state health executive councillor Dr Xavier Jayakumar told The Malaysian Insider.
Dr Xavier, who disclosed that 1,895 cases of dengue were reported in Selangor for January, chaired an emergency meeting with state and local government health officials where he described the situation as alarming.
It is understood that changing weather patterns were among factors which cause the cyclical spike in dengue cases but Dr Xavier said authorities had a window of about a month to contain it before it peaks in March and April.
“The spike started in the last week of December and is steadily increasing.”
To counter the increase, local government health officials are roping in Alam Flora personnel as well as officers from the engineering and enforcement departments, while more funds are also being allocated.
“We intend to come down hard on any premises whether residential, commercial or education where the mosquitoes are found breeding.”
As a new measure, Dr Xavier said authorities will no longer carry out surprise checks but will announce their arrival in advance so the public will have no excuse if mosquitoes are still found breeding in their compounds.
To date, construction sites amounted to 50 per cent of cases where mosquito have been found breeding which schools accounted for 17 per cent at schools and 28 per cent at factories.
Dr Xavier lamented they were not getting enough support from the public to counter the threat especially during this period which is the run-up to Chinese New Year.
Those leaving empty houses to return to their home towns are urged to ensure there’s no stagnant water including in toilet bowls, where mosquitoes can breed.
Meanwhile those who have fallen victim to the disease last month are between 14 and 40-years-old, from urban areas in the Klang Valley.
Shah Alam had four deaths followed by one death each in Petaling Jaya, Subang Jaya, Kajang and Ampang Jaya.
There were 88 deaths attributed to dengue last year and Selangor accounted for 48 of the fatalities
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