An MPK worker carrying out fogging at Taman Perindustrian Pulau Indah, which is a dengue hotspot.
DENGUE cases in the Klang municipality have gone up by 142% as of Sept 3, compared to the corresponding period last year.
Since the start of the year, 6,272 confirmed cases have been recorded, with an average 179 cases weekly.
Klang Municipal Council (MPK) Health Department director Azmi Muji said there were 4,400 dengue cases during the corresponding period last year.
“The hot weather with intermittent rain is ideal for mosquitoes to breed,” he pointed out.
During his visit, he advised residents of Apartment Akasia in Bandar Botanic to keep their surroundings clean and dispose of rubbish properly.
“Apartment Akasia with five cases is one of two dengue hotspots in Klang.
“The other one is Taman Perindustrian Pulau Indah, namely from Jalan Perigi Nenas 8/3 to 8/6, with 30 cases recorded,” he said.
A health inspector checking for Aedes mosquito larvae at Taman Perindustrian Pulau Indah.
An area is classified as hotspot if new cases are found within a 30-day period.
Local council health inspectors are checking homes to identify and destroy mosquito-breeding sites to contain the spread of dengue fever.
Of the 11 areas in the municipality, Sentosa had 1,225 cumulative cases followed by Port Klang (940), Kota Kemuning (868), Pandamaran (568), Meru (601), Bandar Baru Klang (563), Sementa (542), Sungai Kandis (526), Selat Klang (375), Kota Anggerik (38) and Batu Tiga (26).
MPK health inspectors have been visiting both hotspots to advise residents.
Some have been warned to discard old buckets at the side of their homes.
“In industrial areas, Aedes mosquito larvae have been found in single-use plastic containers that were irresponsibly dumped near drains,” said Azmi, highlighting that factory owners have also been warned.
“Residents should spend 10 minutes a week to check their homes and surrounding areas to ensure there are no potential Aedes breeding sites.
“In the past, council health inspectors even checked toilet cisterns and toothbrush holders.
“Now, the team will also check water dispenser trays, car porch, garden and back lanes.
“Many people now plant things in containers but these might hold rainwater, which is ideal for mosquitoes to breed,” he said.
Over the past weeks, the council has also carried out fogging.
