KUCHING: Sarawak sees a slight increase of dengue cases this year as compared to last year.
Deputy Premier Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian said last year a total number of 263 cases of dengue were reported in the state, while as of August this year the total number of dengue cases were at 384.
“Hence, there is an increase of 121 cases,” he said during the Anti-Dengue Campaign at Futsal Court, RPR Batu Kawa Unity Hall here today.
Dr Sim, who is also the Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government, said however compared to the whole of Malaysia in regard to dengue cases, the situation is still under control in Sarawak.
“In Malaysia epidemiology week (July 31 to Aug 6) of this year, the number of dengue cases reported was 1,394 cases compared to 1,542 cases in the previous week.
“Even though there is a decrease, and there is no death due to dengue, dengue causes unnecessary death,” he said.
Therefore, he said there is a need for everyone’s cooperation to do their part in fighting dengue.
“It is important you do not let aedes mosquitos breed and get into your house. So, make the effort, just take 10 minutes to inspect your house once a week and stop aedes breeding.
“Use abate to control aedes larvae by applying it stagnant water where mosquitoes could breed such as your flower pot and so on.
“We need to constantly remind everyone that we don’t overlook and together curb the spread of dengue,” he said.
Dr Sim also commended PRP Batu Kawa locality for only having one case of dengue reported last year.
“As of today, there have been no cases recorded. So, let’s have a new target of zero dengue cases,” he said.
