Dengue on the rise in Negri Sembilan - Three deaths reported, 15 epidemic areas declared

SEREMBAN: Dengue cases in Negri Sembilan increased by 200% in the first two months of this year compared with the same period last year, with three deaths reported.

State health, environment, cooperatives and consumerism committee chairman S. Veerapan said the number of cases increased from 176 to 528 with some 80% reported in the Seremban district alone.

"The three victims were adults who also had other illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension and heart-related ailments. 

"There is certainly a cause for concern as there were no deaths reported in the first two months of last year," he said in a statement on Thursday (Feb 28).

Veerapan said that there were 15 localities in Seremban that had been declared as epidemic areas.

He said Aedes breeding grounds had been discovered in illegal dumps, clogged drains, vacant properties, idle and abandoned plots and children's playgrounds.

"We need everyone's cooperation to destroy these breeding grounds which may be within or outside your homes if we wish to bring down the number of cases," he said.

He said several agencies such as the district health offices, local councils, police, Fire and Rescue Department, SW Corporation, Information Department, Education Department and Syarikat Air Negri Sembilan had taken steps to destroy potential Aedes breeding grounds.

"It is my hope that house owners would make it a point to clean their surroundings every week and spray aerosol in their homes to kill adult mosquitoes," he said.

Veerapan said the public should also take preventive steps when doing outdoor activities from 5pm to 7pm and from 5am to 7am as this was when the Aedes mosquitoes were most active.