Eight die of dengue so far this year

Get rid of it!: Dr Mah (right) explaining to SK Seri Iskandar pupils about the dangers of dengue while looking at a giant replica of the Aedes mosquito at the anti-dengue campaign at Stadium Indera Mulia. Looking on are (from left) state deputy health director Datin Dr Ranjit Kaur, state secretariat office local government department secretary Emy Sazri Mohd Isa and Harun.

AEDES eradication efforts in Perak continue to draw poor response from the public. State Health Committee chairman Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon said participation from the public in gotong-royong exercises organised by the state health authorities were disappointing when there should be concerted effort from all parties to prevent and eradicate dengue and the Aedes menace.

Noting that rubbish piles and illegal dumpsites constituted 29.8% of all Aedes breeding grounds found in the state while 19.9% were that of abandoned property, Dr Mah said the public could play a role in fighting dengue by abstaining from littering.