Dengue-related deaths rise to 88
INCREASE: Selangor has the most number of deaths at 24
PUTRAJAYA: THE dengue scourge has raised its head again, claiming more lives this year.
Despite efforts to curb its spread, the death toll from January to Dec 21 stands at 88, a massive 151 per cent increase compared with last year's total of 35 lives.
The number of dengue cases has also skyrocketed. The Health Ministry recorded 41,226 cases, almost double the 21,444 cases reported last year.
Director-General of Health Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said Selangor had the most number of deaths with 24 victims, followed by Johor with 21, and Malacca, nine.
"Twelve states have shown an increase in the number of cases. Malacca has the highest increase, with a 229 per cent jump from the previous year. Johor has a 191 per cent increase and Selangor shows a 152 per cent jump from last year."
Other states that saw an increase in the number of cases are Negri Sembilan (100 per cent), Perak (42 per cent), Labuan (40 per cent), Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya (39 per cent), Penang (31 per cent), Perlis (30 per cent), Kelantan (41 per cent), Pahang (12 per cent) and Sabah (nine per cent).
Dr Noor Hisham said three states recorded a decline in dengue cases. They were Terengganu (21 per cent), Sarawak (13 per cent) and Kedah (one per cent).
He said the rise in dengue cases was not unusual, based on annual trends.
"If we examine the weekly trend of cases reported since 2002, we can see a cyclic pattern every two to three years."
Malaysia, he pointed out, was plagued by dengue cases in 2002, 2004, 2007, 2009, 2010 and this year.
Dr Noor Hisham also noted that Malaysia was not the only country to experience a drastic rise in dengue cases. He said countries in the Western Pacific Region also experienced a similar phenomenon this year.
"For example, as of Dec 11, Singapore recorded a 490 per cent increase in dengue cases. Laos saw a 480 per cent rise, while New Caledonia experienced a whopping 2,600 per cent rise and Australia, 10 per cent."
Dr Noor Hisham said the public could play a role in curbing the spread of dengue by eliminating the breeding grounds of Aedes mosquitos.
"The public also can do their part by destroying Aedes breeding grounds in the vicinity of their homes and neighbourhoods."
He said the ministry would launch the "Let's Quash Aedes" campaign next month. It will involve a month-long gotong-royong in all states and districts.
The ministry, he said, had also implemented Op Gempur Aedes since July that saw action being taken against owners of premises found to have been breeding grounds for the Aedes mosquito.
"We have also increased the number of Communication for Behavioural Impact (Combi) projects by providing training to volunteers to conduct dengue prevention and control within communities."
Dr Noor Hisham said until September, 2,668 Combi projects had been launched, involving 53,360 volunteers nationwide.
Last week, the New Straits Times reported that the increase in the number of dengue cases in Selangor had caused congestion at government hospitals, with some patients having to wait more than 10 hours to get admitted.
State Health Department officials had admitted that almost all public hospitals in the state were overcrowded with patients seeking treatment for dengue fever.
This was caused by Selangor topping the chart with 21,138 dengue cases as of Dec 13.
Deputy Director-General of Health (medical) Datuk Dr Jeyaindran Sinnadurai had confirmed that there had been a sudden increase in the number of patients needing admission at government hospitals in the Klang Valley.
Read more: Dengue-related deaths rise to 88 - General - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/nation/general/dengue-related-deaths-rise-to-88-1.448009#ixzz2ojP41iYn
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