Johor records 297 new dengue cases, one death in first week of July

JOHOR BARU: Johor saw a total of 297 new dengue cases with one death recorded in the first week of July.

State health and environment committee chairman Ling Tian Soon said the cases were recorded in the 27th epidemiological week (from July 1 to 7), bringing the cumulative number of dengue cases in Johor so far this year to 8,454.

“The latest death was also the 12th this year, an increase compared to eight deaths recorded in the same period last year.

“There was a 73.1% increase in accumulated dengue cases in Johor compared to the corresponding period last year, where 4,883 cases were reported,” he said in a statement on Monday (July 8).

Out of last week’s dengue infections, 213 were in Johor Baru, followed by Kulai with 41 cases, Kluang (11), Kota Tinggi (nine), Muar (nine), Batu Pahat (eight), Pontian (three), Segamat (one), Tangkak (one) and Mersing (one).

The districts that saw an increase in dengue cases compared to the 26th epidemiological week (from June 24 to 30) were Kota Tinggi, Kulai, Tangkak and Muar, he added.

Ling said that 31 new dengue localities have also been identified in Johor last week.

He encouraged the people to spend at least 10 minutes a day cleaning their homes and workplaces to destroy possible mosquito breeding grounds.

“This can be done by ensuring that there are no containers with water that could harbour Aedes mosquito larvae.

“Spray suitable chemicals to kill the larvae and pour the water away before scrubbing and cleaning the containers,” he added.