DENGUE cases in Klang are seeing a dramatic rise and the Klang Royal City Council (MBDK) Health Department has attributed this to unusually warm weather and rain that has created an ideal breeding environment for mosquitoes.
On average, 274 cases have been reported in Klang every week since the start of the year.
MBDK Health director Azmi Muji said as of Sunday (Feb 18), Klang had recorded a total of 1,920 dengue cases with one fatality this year – an increase of 323 cases or 20% from the previous week's cumulative total of 1,597 cases.
“Our health inspectors have singled out three low-rise dwellings as having a markedly higher incidence of confirmed cases and Aedes mosquito breeding compared to the other hotspots," he said on Monday (Feb 19).
"Kasuarina Apartments in Bandar Botanic have 35 cases, the Jalan Batu Nilam 34 flats have 21 cases, while the Bandar Sultan Suleiman PKNS Flats Blocks 4 to 19 have 15 cases,” he added.
Azmi called for collective community action and vigilance to curb the surge of dengue.
“Residents living in dengue hotspots should take immediate action to suppress the Aedes mosquito population and help break disease transmission.
"Cooperate with our health inspectors during their rounds,” he said.
Azmi said the 15 dengue hotspots identified in the past week are: Jalan Mempari 3 to 12 in Taman Bayu; Aman Perdana Apartments; Jalan Sungai Nibong 1 to 7 in Taman Mewah; Lorong Sungai Puloh 5C to 7B Taman Cempakasari; Lebuh Pulau Pinang 2; Jalan Murai and Jalan Kelicap 49 in Taman Meru; Blocks 4 to 19 of the Bandar Sultan Suleiman PKNS Flats; Lots 1085 to 1089 Lorong Haji Abd Rahman in Kampung Sungai Udang; Jalan Idaman 9 to 17A in Kampung Idaman; Flats Jalan Batu Nilam 34; Pangsapuri Kasuarina in Bandar Botanik; Jalan Dato Dagang 23 to 27; and Jalan Dato Dagang 9 to 15 in Taman Sentosa.
Of the 11 constituencies, Sentosa had 368 cumulative cases so far this year; Meru, 286; Sementa, 267; Kota Kemuning, 233; Bandar Baru Klang, 201; Port Klang, 193; Selat Klang, 131; Sungai Kandis, 114; Pandamaran, 101; Kota Anggerik, 17; and Batu Tiga, nine.
Senior environmental health inspector Zakaria Ismail said MBDK was continuing inspections of dengue hotspots and maintaining a high rate of preventive inspections for Aedes mosquito breeding sites.
He said dengue remained a serious public health threat.
“People should spend 10 minutes a week to check their homes and surroundings to ensure there are no potential Aedes breeding sites. Clean up the place and bag any rubbish,” he added.
