KOTA KINABALU: Sabah’s dengue cases are increasing at a concerning rate, says Datuk Seri Safar Untong.
With that, the state secretary urges Sabahans to take proactive steps to fight dengue, a virus that could potentially cause severe health complications and even death.
“The state recorded a cumulative of 4,812 cases with five deaths in the 42nd week of the outbreak,” he said in a statement Saturday (Oct 29).
“This is more than three times the cases in 2021, where during the same period, we only had 1,336 cases statewide,” Safar said.
He said five districts topped the list - Sandakan (1,394 cases), Kota Kinabalu (1,155), Tawau (387), Lahad Datu (349) dan Putatan (344), as of Oct 22.
A total of 72 localities remain active with dengue outbreaks, and they are divided into 11 hotspots, 11 uncontrolled outbreaks, and 52 with controlled outbreaks, he said.
“This involves seven districts - Sandakan, Kota Kinabalu, Tawau, Lahad Datu, Kudat, Penampang and Pitas,” Safar said.
He said this situation was concerning and everyone, from people on the ground to the authorities had to work together to fight dengue.
He said a special task force was formed with a meeting held on Oct 27 to discuss this matter and find ways to address the issue.
“Everyone is advised to clean their houses and surroundings at least once a week, rid the areas of mosquito breeding grounds and destroy any potential breeding spots,” said Safar.
He also advised the public to spray aerosol and use mosquito repellents when outside, among other preventive measures.
For those with symptoms of dengue especially children and high risk groups, they are urged to seek immediate medical attention.
The signs of having contracted dengue include sudden high fever, prolonged fever, rashes on skin, pain in bones, muscles, joints and eye balls, blood under the skin, nose bleed and bloodied gums.
