KOTA KINABALU: Residents of a housing estate here have been asked to go all out to wipe out breeding grounds for the aedes mosquito following three outbreaks in the area since February of this year.
Kota Kinabalu Area Health office's Epidemiological Officer Dr Pathman Arumugam said the residents of Ridgeview Park Phase 12 in Kepayan Ridge here have to clean up their homes and destroy the breeding grounds.
A total of 31 dengue cases were detected so far in the three dengue outbreaks since Feb 9 despite integrated operations carried out twice by the health officials and Kota Kinabalu City Hall in the area.
Dr Pathman said that residents must play a role to ensure that they carry out anti dengue activities including destroying breeding places for Aedes larvae (any containers that hold water) in each house
"They need to just set aside 10 minutes every weekend either Saturday or Sunday to do it.
"Residents should spray aerosol insecticide in their own homes at dawn and dusk and carry out regular gotong-royong at least once a month even though no cases of dengue have been reported," he said.
He also said that efforts should be made to dispose or transfer abandoned cars that are left parked in the parking lot and ensure that garbage and other items are disposed of in the appropriate areas.
Dr Pathman said that a total of six compound notices have been issued when it was found that home owners failed to dispose of containers like buckets, tires and flower pots as aedes mosquito larvae were found in them
They face a maximum compound fine of RM500 or if charged in court they could be fined up to RM10,000 or face a jail term of two-years if they are repeat offenders under the Destruction of Disease-Carrying Insects Act 1975.
Dr Pathman said that the cumulative number of dengue cases reported this year in Kota Kinabalu was 640 cases.
"The number of cases increased by 206% compared to 209 cases during the same period last year," he said, adding that no deaths were reported.
