Penang hit with a double whammy

Preventive measure: Ooi showing a photo of mosquitoes killed by a trapping device (right) in his Sungai Nibong house.

GEORGE TOWN: As if hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) was not enough, the number of people in Penang struck with dengue fever has nearly doubled compared with last year.

State Health Committee chairman Dr Afif Bahardin said as of July 7, a total of 2,299 dengue cases have been reported this year compared with 1,263 cases in the same period last year, showing an increase of 1,036 cases.

He said there was an increase of one case on the 27th week (July 1 to 7) totalling to 114 cases compared with 113 cases on the 26th week (June 24 to 30) this year.

“However, there are two deaths reported due to dengue until the 26th week this year compared with eight deaths in the corresponding period last year,” he said.

He said there are 39 controlled outbreak localities in Customs Housing, Jalan Batu Jantan, Desa Mawar, Desa Baiduri, The Sanctuary, Sri Saujana Apartment, Mutiara Heights, Reservoir Garden, Jalan Gangsa, Kampung Melayu, Medan Angsana, Jalan Hj Hashim Imam, Jalan Penawar 1, N Park Condominium, Serina Bay Apartment, Jalan Batu Gajah, Jalan Gemas, Symphony Park and Kampung Makam in the northeast district.

“Affected in the southwest district are Bayan Lepas police quarters, Sri Merpati Flat, Taman Sri Indah and Jalan Tengah Flat.

“In central Seberang Prai, the outbreak localities are in Kampung Bukit Kecil, Telok Indah E2 Flat, Permatang Tinggi Zon A village, Inderawasih Halaman, Taman Alma Jaya, Taman Mutiara and Telok Indah E1 Flat, while in south Seberang Prai, it’s in Taman Sungai Bakap Permai,” he said.

He added there are two uncontrolled outbreaks in the localities of Desa Green and Lone Pine police quarters (northeast).

The six hotspots for dengue are Jalan Terengganu, Taman Free School, Medan Terengganu and Jalan Abdullah Ariff in the northeast district, and Persiaran Inderawasih 2 and Taman Pauh Indah in central Seberang Prai.

Dr Afif reminded the public to continue with preventative methods in fighting the outbreak.

“Be cautious of dengue symptoms such as fever, body aches, vomiting, rashes or loss of appetite,” he added.

The Southwest District Health Office declared two housing estates in a 400m radius in Sungai Nibong as a dengue epidemic zone after seven residents came down with dengue.

In a gated community near this epidemic zone, a father and his three children were diagnosed with dengue on July 5 after being warded together for severe fever on July 2.

Recounting his experience of being warded with his children, businessman Louis Ooi, 43, told The Star it was “nightmarish”.

“My blood platelets dropped by almost 90%. The doctors said since this was my second time getting dengue, mine was more severe compared with my kids,” he said at his house in Sungai Nibong yesterday.

Although platelets are blood cells that are crucial to clotting and disease immunity, American scientists in 2015 discovered that the dengue virus exploits the platelets’ defensive role and pirates the cells to replicate itself.

If left untreated, the platelets loss can lead to dengue haemorrhagic fever, shock and death.

Ooi discovered through public health inspectors that the probable breeding ground of Aedes mosquitoes in his neighbourhood were ornamental plants in the landscaping of his gated community.

The plant called Little Harv has a cavity at its centre that forms a cup when it is not flowering.

“The health inspectors visited me on Monday after I was discharged. They did a thorough check and found stagnant water in the plants in our common area, right outside my house.

“We are always told to watch out for mosquitoes breeding in water in tins, pots and containers. This is an eye-opener,” he said.

Meanwhile, in Jelutong, Penang Island City Council (MBPP) swooped down on an unlicensed recycling centre because it left thousands of plastic containers meant for recycling out in the open, collecting rainwater.

MBPP enforcers found mosquitoes breeding there, and a resident alerted The Star after his mother contracted dengue.

On the HFMD situation here, Dr Afif said the number of cases grew to 1,783 as of Thursday noon, which is an increase of 69.5% compared with the same period last year.

He said there were six cases under observation.

“A total of 26 facilities were still closed including five primary schools, four nurseries, 15 kindergarten, one childcare (centre) and one preschool.

“Parents are urged to be vigilant,” he said during an operation with the state Health Department on Thursday.

Penang Health director Dr Wan Mansor Hamzah said on Thursday that 18 new cases were detected in Penang within two days.

He said the island has 1,207 reported cases, while on the mainland, only 484.

The worst hit is George Town, with 930 cases.