This year, Penang has recorded 60 dengue outbreaks as of June 24, says state youth, sports and health committee chairman Daniel Gooi.
He said the northeast district recorded the highest number of outbreaks with 27, followed by South Seberang Perai and Central Seberang Perai with 11 each.
The southwest district recorded nine outbreaks, while North Seberang Perai had two.
However, Gooi said overall dengue cases in the state fell by 34% as of June 20, with 629 cases recorded compared to 946 during the same period last year.
However, he cautioned the public against becoming complacent and urged them to keep their immediate surroundings clean.
Fatalities from dengue-related complications also decreased, with one death recorded this year compared to three during the corresponding period last year.
“Dengue is not just about numbers or statistics.
“Behind every case and fatality is a family who has lost a loved one.
“Therefore, our actions today are crucial to ensuring such tragedies do not happen again,” he added.
Gooi said this after launching the “Mega Anti-Aedes Gotong-Royong Programme 1.0” in conjunction with the state-level Asean Dengue Day event at Taman Pantai Bersih in Butterworth.
He said the latest figures showed that dengue remained a serious threat and required continuous commitment from all parties.
Gooi urged the public to support the Health Ministry’s Dengue-Free Community (KomBeD) initiative.
“This initiative encourages active participation from every individual and family as our first line of defence.
“Every Aedes breeding site destroyed has the potential to save lives.”
Also present were Sungai Puyu assemblyman Phee Syn Tze, Deputy State Secretary (Development) Mohamed Abdul Rahman and Seberang Perai mayor Datuk Baderul Amin Abdul Hamid.
Around 500 people including residents of Flat Taman Pantai Bersih and the surrounding areas, staff from several Village Community Management Councils (MPKK), and representatives from various government departments and agencies took part in the mega gotong-royong.
During her speech, Phee emphasised the importance of the initiative, adding that such programmes were vital for destroying mosquito-breeding sites and preventing the spread of dengue fever.
“Thank you to everyone who made this programme a success.
“I hope the responsibility of maintaining the cleanliness of our surroundings can be shared by us all,” she said.
The event was organised by Penang Health Department and district health office, in cooperation with the Sungai Puyu service centre and Jalan Thamby MPKK.
