Perak sees drop in dengue cases

IPOH: The number of dengue cases in Perak has reduced considerably but the state health department is not resting on their laurels.

From January to Dec 10 this year, the number of cumulative dengue cases recorded in the state is 3,549 cases. Last year, 9,069 dengue cases were recorded for the same period.

State health committee chairman Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon said the percentage of decrease is 60.9%, which is a big improvement and a success for the health department

“Our objective has been achieved but to me, we still have to work hard. I’ve contacted an entomologist from Kedah to advise and also give a talk to us.

“What we’ve done so far is to tell people to take care of their environment but now, people need to know how to avoid getting bitten by mosquitoes,” he told reporters after meeting seven underprivileged patients who underwent free cataract surgery at Pantai Hospital Ipoh Wednesday.

He said the entomologist would advise people on how to manage themselves when exposed to mosquito infested areas.

On another matter, Dr Mah said the Malaria situation at the Pos Kemar Orang Asli settlement had stabilised.

Till Dec 13, 129 cases were recorded in the settlement. Sixty-seven people are still receiving treatment from in places like Hospital Gerik, Asrama Seri Didik and in Pos Kemar.

Malaria cases came to light in Gerik during a detection exercise carried out by health officers from the Hulu Perak district on Nov 16.

The state Health Department has since distributed mosquito nettings to the villagers and sprayed larvicide at water catchment areas and tributaries to destroy breeding grounds.