Some 1429 dengue cases were recorded in Perak between January 1 and March 4 this year compared to 1114 cases the same period last year, an increase of 28.3 per cent (315 cases).
A total of five deaths were recorded between the first and ninth week this year compared to zero cases the same period in 2016.
Between February 26 and March 4 this year, a total of 206 cases were recorded, a decrease of 8.4 per cent or 19 cases as opposed to 225 cases the previous week.
A total of 90 localities with active dengue cases were identified, 10 of which are uncontrolled outbreak localities and 66 of which are controlled outbreak localities. In addition, a total of 14 hotspots were identified in the Kinta district.
The increase is attributed to filth in housing estates, markets and recreational parks. These places are littered with rubbish and plastic receptacles left by irresponsible people. Stagnant water found in parking lots in shopping malls and apartments are convenient breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
The Perak State Health Department and local authorities are hard at work combating the disease, especially within the Kinta district.
Readers are advised to apply mosquito repellent and wear bright coloured clothing to prevent mosquito bites when staying outdoors or partaking in outdoor activities.
In order to reduce the death toll and to ensure that all dengue patients in Perak receive the right treatment and care, the Perak State Health Department, the Perak Medical Practitioners’ Society and the Malaysian Medical Association Perak will jointly organise a workshop to update private medical practitioners in Perak about treating patients infected with the disease.
The Perak State Health Department reminds everyone to keep their surroundings clean and free from stagnant water to prevent mosquitoes from breeding.
Luqman Hakim
