PUTRAJAYA: Dengue cases have surged 66% so far this year, with 65,979 infections recorded as of Epidemiological Week 35 compared with 39,616 during the same period last year, says Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil.
The Communications Minister said the number of deaths has also nearly doubled, with 62 fatalities recorded over the same period compared with 32 last year, an increase of 93.8%.
He said the Cabinet was briefed on the dengue situation during its meeting on Wednesday (Sept 9), including measures being taken to contain the sharp rise in cases.
Fahmi said the Housing and Local Government Ministry would organise large-scale gotong-royong programmes over the coming months, particularly in areas identified as red zones or experiencing outbreaks.
“The first is that the ministry will organise large-scale gotong-royong programmes over the next few months,” he told a press conference after the Cabinet meeting here on Wednesday (Sept 9).
He said the Cabinet was also briefed on the progress of the Wolbachia mosquito programme, including its implementation here.
The programme involves releasing Aedes mosquitoes carrying Wolbachia bacteria, which can inhibit the dengue virus inside the mosquito and reduce its ability to transmit the disease.
However, Fahmi said the Cabinet was informed that fogging could also kill the Wolbachia-carrying mosquitoes deployed as part of the dengue-control programme.
“When fogging is carried out, the Wolbachia mosquitoes that are able to inhibit the virus are also killed as a result of the fogging,” he said.
Fahmi said the issue was among those highlighted to the Cabinet as it discussed measures to strengthen dengue prevention efforts.
He said greater emphasis would be placed on community clean-up programmes, including in areas identified as dengue red zones and those experiencing outbreaks.
