IPOH: Dengue cases are expected to increase this year due to the changes in weather and its strains, says Deputy Health Minister Dr Lee Boon Chye.
He said the increase was also because of the lack of immunity to the changes in the dengue virus type among Malaysians.
“There are four strains, from Type One to Type Four and these would rotate.
“Last year, we had Type One and now we have Type Two,” he said, adding that both were different viruses.
Speaking to reporters after launching an anti-Aedes mosquito campaign at the Greentown Health Clinic here, Dr Lee said with such changes, the people did not have the immunity and it would lead to more cases, including the mortality rate.
“More awareness on dengue must be created to educate the people.
“We will also beef up our efforts and mobilise the community behavioural impact team to control dengue by fogging.
“There will also be teams using larvicide to kill the pest,” he said, adding that the dengue outbreak was expected to peak between December and February.
“We also need the involvement of the people, which is important to ensure the cleanliness in the surroundings of their homes.”
On the recent Chikungunya outbreak in Tanjung Sepat, Dr Lee said it started after a group of people returned from Haadyai, Thailand.
“The outbreak first started near the Thai-Kedah border.
“But it’s under control now,” he said.