LABUAN: There has been a 275% rise in dengue cases from January to date here, with 15 cases recorded compared to only four cases during the same period last year.
The duty-free-island also reported one new malaria case.
Labuan Health director Dr Ismuni Bohari said considering the current increasing trend of dengue cases in many villages, routine surveillance and source reduction activities have been intensified.
He said reminders have been issued to members of the public and building premises owners to ensure effective disposal of solid waste to help prevent mosquito breeding.
"All government and private office buildings including commercial establishments will be inspected for possible mosquito breeding,” he told Bernama on Monday (June 27) in conjunction with the Labuan-level Asean Dengue Day observance.
Dr Ismuni said increasing awareness and eliminating vector-breeding sites were some measures that could help control the disease.
The Gotong-Royong Perdana Mega 1.0 anti-Aedes programme was launched in Labuan on Sunday (June 26), with focus on villages that are close to squatter settlements.
"These villages have been identified with the most dengue cases and this programme is necessary to create awareness among the villagers on the rising cases of dengue in their respective areas,” he said. - Bernama
