Clogged drains are a perfect breeding ground for Aedes mosquitoes. — Filepics
JOHOR BARU: Johor Health Department has issued 3,484 compounds totalling RM1.74mil to owners of premises in Johor so far this year for allowing their premises to become mosquito breeding grounds.
State health and environment committee chairman R. Vidyananthan said of the compounds issued, only 74.2% had been paid.
He also said that during the period, more than 11,000 dengue fever cases were recorded in the state.
“This is an increase by 7.4% compared to last year.
“From the first week to the 50th week this year, 11,267 dengue cases were recorded compared to 10,490 cases in the same period last year.
“Johor Baru recorded the highest number of cases with 77.9% of the total, ” he said in a statement here.
He said in the 50th week, from Dec 6 to 12, no deaths were recorded, with the death toll remaining at 42 compared to 29 in the same period last year.
Vidyananthan said the main contributor to this issue was the public’s lack of attention to general cleanliness, especially the bad habit of throwing rubbish in various places indiscriminately.
He said the people must be proactive and take measures to eliminate Aedes mosquito breeding grounds inside and outside their homes.
“The discovery of breeding ground at the premises shows that the community is still not taking the dengue menace seriously.
“They must clean their premises, especially areas where water collects and which can become ideal breeding grounds.
“Spend some time every week to search and destroy the sites.
“Health Department personnel are carrying out fogging exercises but the people must also play their part, ” he added.
Vidyananthan said Kulai had the second highest number of dengue cases in Johor (8.1%), followed by Batu Pahat (3.4%) and Pontian (2.7%).
Did you find this article insightful?
33% readers found this article insightful
