Goh Pei Pei, Melvin Jon New Straits Times 18 Jun 19;
KUCHING: Sarawak recorded over 700 dengue cases in the first half of this year, with Kampung Ajibah Abol near here being the latest outbreak area.
As the number increases, the state health department has taken the approach that it will no longer compromise with any premises, houses or resident units that found to have Aedes breeding grounds.
Vector Borne Disease Control Unit officer of Sarawak Health Department Kuching Division, Dr Mohd Daniel Salim said RM500 compound will be issued under the Destruction of Disease-Bearing Insects Act (DDBIA) 1975.
The dengue situation in the state, particularly in Kuching, is worrying as it recorded over 200 cases this year, with Kampung Ajibah Abol, identified as the latest outbreak area, he said.
A total of 37 cases were recorded in Kampung Ajibah Abol from May 13 to June 8.
“The number of cases has increased to 42 as of June 17,” he told the reporters after a dengue prevention programme at Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Rakyat Haji Bolhassan here.
Improper waste disposal, littering in vacant shop houses and clogged drains were among the reasons contributed to the outbreak in the village, he added.
“Therefore, stern action must be taken to prevent any more outbreaks throughout the state.
“We need the cooperation from the local community to eradicate dengue effectively,” he said, adding that inspections will be carried out at dengue-prone areas.
According to a statement issued by the Health Ministry, the dengue cases in Sarawak have increased to 762 from January to June, compared with 219 cases recorded in the same period last year.
Figures showed that Kuching recorded 264 cases, followed by Miri (98), Betong (95), Sibu (73), Serian (46), Kapit (44), Kota Samarahan (40), Sarikei (38), Bintulu (24), Limbang (18), Sri Aman (16) and Mukah (six).
