314% rise in dengue cases, says ministry

THE number of dengue cases tripled this year, with 23,633 cases reported as of March 23, said Deputy Urban Well-being, Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Halimah Mohd Sadique.

“This represents a 314% rise or an increase of 17,917 cases over the 5,716 cases recorded for the same period last year,” she said in reply to Datuk Koh Nai Kwong (BN-Alor Gajah).

Halimah said the fight against dengue was a joint effort by the authorities, local communities and relevant non-governmental bodies.

“What is happening is the lackadaisical attitude of some homeowners who fail to keep their homes and surroundings free of Aedes-breeding spots,” she said.

Deputy Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Dr James Dawos Mamit said there were 10 rivers in Malaysia categorised under Class One – a standard of river water that is clean enough to drink without any treatment.

“It comprises 2% of the total 473 rivers, whose quality is monitored by the Department of Environment,” he said, adding that the 10 rivers were also among the 275 rivers classified under Class Two or rivers which were considered clean.

“This means 58.1% of our rivers are clean,” he said during question time.