SIM BAK HENG New Straits Times 4 Apr 16;
KUALA TERENGGANU: Dengue claimed its 12th death in the state, with the latest being a 67-year-old man last Friday.
The victim, from Kampung Tok Adis in Kuala Ibai here, was admitted to the Sultanah Nur Zahirah Hospital on March 27 before his condition deteriorated further.
He was transferred to the intensive care unit on the third day before he succumbed to the virus at 9.45am on Friday.
Prior to this, the last reported death was in Dungun on Feb 29. An average of four dengue-related deaths a month have been reported since January.
State Health, Women, Family and Social Development Committee chairman Datuk Muhammad Pehemi Yusof said Kuala Terengganu tops the other districts with nine deaths, followed by a case each in Dungun, Besut and Marang.
He said the Aedes mosquitoes most likely bred indoors currently as it is impossible for them to breed outside during the current hot weather with the lack of rainwater.
"It is wrong to think that the Aedes mosquitoes cannot breed during the hot season. When favourable conditions arise, its number can still multiply," he said.
Health officers to carry out anti-dengue ops
The Star 5 Apr 16;
KUALA LUMPUR: Health officers may enter homes for checks in a large-scale anti-dengue operation that is scheduled to kick off soon at housing estates nationwide.
The two-month operation, starting April 11, will see enforcement officers going into houses in dengue-prone areas to check for mosquito-breeding grounds.
They are authorised to do so under the Destruction of Disease-Bearing Insects Act 1975.
Health Ministry deputy director-general (public health) Datuk Dr Lokman Sulaiman told Sin Chew Daily that the health officers would be accompanied by unarmed police and army personnel during the anti-dengue operation.
“The team will be in uniform and carry their identity documents and an authorisation letter.
“If nobody is at home, we will leave a notice to inform the occupants that we will return to check the premises,” he added.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam had announced that the operation would be conducted at 192 dengue-prone areas throughout the country.
The move has, however, caused worry to the public who are concerned with letting possible imposters into their homes.
When interviewed by the daily, some residents said they hoped that the ministry would make arrangements with resident associations before carrying out the checks.
