JOHOR BARU: Johor has recorded 15 dengue-related deaths in the first six months of this year, an increase of 144% compared with the same period last year.
The number of dengue cases also increased by 52% from 1,660 in the first six months of last year to 2,524 for the same period this year.
State health and environment committee chairman Datuk Ayub Rahmat described the trend as worrying as the death toll had more than doubled, adding the Health Department had been constantly carrying out fogging and clean-up across the state.
However, he said residents should not rely solely on fogging activities but take precautionary measures to rid mosquito breeding grounds.
“Fogging is the last resort to kill adult Aedes and some of them are already immune to the pesticide. Prevention is most vital to eliminate dengue cases,” he said while proposing that homeowners spend at least 10 minutes a week to check for possible breeding grounds around their areas.
On the usage of biological agent Bacillus Thuringiensis Israelensis (BTI) as the pesticide mixture for fogging, Ayub said that the Government was still conducting studies to check on its effectiveness.
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