A MBDK officer checking for mosquito larvae in Taman Mewah, Klang. – AINA AMIRAH/The Star
KLANG: About one-third of the number of dengue cases here involve youths, says the Klang Royal City Council (MBDK).
MBDK health department director Azmi Muji said from January to Feb 11 this year, there were 1,597 dengue cases with one death, of which 562 cases were youths aged from 15 to 40.
He said in the corresponding period in 2023, there were 1,099 dengue cases with no deaths and a total of 9,164 dengue cases with three deaths were reported that year.
An average of 266 dengue cases were reported in Klang every week.
"Our observation revealed that more men below 39 came down with dengue, fewer than women from the same age bracket.
"Over the past week, we have experienced intermittent rain in the late evenings and we are worried that this could cause a rise in the number of dengue cases," he said.
He also said that fewer senior citizens had dengue as they were indoors most of the time.
According to the Selangor government's brochure on dengue prevention, Aedes mosquito eggs can lie dormant for up to nine months and can hatch within hours if exposed to even a teaspoon of water.
It takes four days for larvae to develop into pupae and adult mosquitoes will emerge after two days.
Azmi said youths tend to be more exposed to mosquitoes as they spend more time outside in the late evenings at open air food courts, for example.
"The peak feeding time for mosquitoes is at dawn and dusk.
"We want all open air eateries to ensure their surroundings are cleared of dried leaves, ensure water closets in toilets are closed at all times and surroundings litter-free," he said.
Azmi said from January to Feb 11, the Klang District health department issued 364 compounds while MBDK issued 64 notices to remove stagnant water.
"Our team makes daily visits to various neighbourhoods. We also have a team monitoring active and abandoned construction sites," he said.
Senior environmental health inspector Zakaria Ismail said abandoned high-rise projects, dilapidated houses and unattended plots of land in residential areas were the main mosquito breeding grounds, which contribute to the spread of dengue.
He said the current dengue hotspots in Klang are Jalan Kelicap 49 and Jalan Murai in Taman Meru; Jalan Dato Dagang 23 to 27 and Jalan Dato Yusuf Shahbudin 1 to 14 in Taman Sentosa; Jalan Pulau Pinang 1 to 7 in Taman Meru; Proton Flats in Taman Kandis Permai; Aman Perdana Flats; Jalan Sungai Puloh 7 to 8 in Taman Chempakasari; Jalan Batu Nilam 17 to 18 in Bandar Bukit Tinggi; Asrama Top Glove in Meru; Jalan Sungai Chandong 1 to 6 in Bandar Armada Putra; Bandar Sultan Suleiman PKNS Flats; Port Klang Customs Flats; Jalan Mempari 1 to 14 in Taman Bayu; Kasuarina Flats in Bandar Botanik; Jalan Imam Abdul Aziz 5 in Taman Melawati; Kampung Rantau Panjang Lot 1141 Jalan Haji Othman Lama; Jalan Sungai Nibong 1 to 6 in Taman Mewah and Flat Batu Nilam 34.
Azmi added that dengue prevention and control was a collective responsibility among local authorities, communities and the public in general.
"Dengue remains a serious public health threat. People should spend 10 minutes a week to check and clean their homes and surrounding areas to ensure there are no potential Aedes breeding sites," he added.
A MBDK officer checking for mosquito larvae in Taman Mewah, Klang. – AINA AMIRAH/The Star
– AINA AMIRAH/The Star
– AINA AMIRAH/The Star
– AINA AMIRAH/The Star
