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Penang records 200% rise in dengue cases

GEORGE TOWN (Malaysia) — Five months into the year and Penang has already recorded an increase of 200 per cent or 734 more dengue cases compared with the last corresponding period.

An Aedes mosquito. Bloomberg file photo

An Aedes mosquito. Bloomberg file photo

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GEORGE TOWN (Malaysia) — Five months into the year and Penang has already recorded an increase of 200 per cent or 734 more dengue cases compared with the last corresponding period.

The number of deaths have also increased 100 per cent from three to six.

The state Health Department’s vector unit has identified three Aedes hotspots in Jalan Pasar, Jalan Perak and Jalan Scotland, and five uncontrolled dengue areas in Jalan Kim Bian Aik, Jalan Sek La Salle, Taman Seri Perak, D’Piazza Condominium in the southwest district and Taman Seri Pinang in northern Seberang Perai district.

Agriculture, rural development and health committee chairman Dr Afif Bahardin blamed the rainy season and densely populated housing areas as main reasons for the drastic increase.

Admitting the dengue upsurge is worrying, he hoped the public would show more concern with their surroundings and cooperate with the health authorities, especially during fogging.

Dr Afif said even though the authorities would take action to combat dengue, the public should play their part to keep their areas Aedes-free.

“The public should not take dengue lightly as it can cause death,” he warned during a spot check at a project site in Jalan Hamilton yesterday (June 2).

A 25-storey medium-cost apartment block will be built on the nine-acre site by SP Setia.

The development of the 851 units is scheduled to start by the end of the year following the submission of plans by the company to the Penang Island City Council.

Health authorities have identified the site, behind Heng Ee High School, as a potential Aedes breeding hotspot.

Dr Afif said Penang was growing so rapidly that developers should have their own disease control units to prevent Aedes mosquitoes breeding at construction sites.

“This development area is located nearby schools and residential areas. If Aedes mosquitoes breed here, the number of those infected could be potentially high,” he said.

“The developers should monitor and actively find potential dengue spots and destroy them. They can’t depend entirely on the state Health Department to do it for them.”

SP Setia general manager Ng Han Seong said the company had searched and destroyed potential dengue spots at the site.

However, he said, residents nearby used the site as a dumping ground.

“We can’t block off the area as people use the land as a short cut to pass through,” he said.

“But it is also not fair to blame us for everything.” THE MALAY MAIL ONLINE

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