Remedy: A Klang Municipal Council worker fogging as dengue cases rise at Bandar Sultan Suleiman, Port Klang.
KUALA LUMPUR: The number of dengue fever cases increased by 7.7% to 2,808 cases between June 11 to 17, compared to 2,608 cases reported in the previous week.
Two deaths due to complications from dengue fever were also reported during the June 11-17 period, which was the 24th Epidemiological Week (ME24), said Health director-general Datuk Dr Muhammad Radzi Abu Hassan.
He said the cumulative number of dengue fever cases reported up to ME24 increased by 149.6% to 54,139 cases compared to 21,688 cases for the same period in 2022.
“A total of 39 deaths due to dengue fever complications were reported compared to 15 deaths for the same period in 2022,” he said in a statement as reported by Bernama.
Dr Muhammad Radzi said the number of dengue fever hotspots in ME24 increased to 110 localities compared to 95 hotspots in the earlier week.
There are 84 hotspots in Selangor, 14 locations in Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya, four each in Kedah and Penang, three in Sabah and one in Perlis.
Regarding surveillance for chikungunya, Dr Muhammad Radzi said two chikungunya cases were recorded in ME24 and the cumulative number of chikungunya cases to date is 137 cases.
“Monitoring at the National Dengue Operation Room found that the number of dengue fever cases is high and has the potential to continue to increase if no preventive measures are taken by all parties, including the community.
“As a proactive measure, check every container inside and outside the house and make sure there is no water reservoir for Aedes mosquitoes to breed,” he said.
In IPOH, mayor Datuk Rumaizi Baharin said that the city has seen a 200% increase in dengue cases.
Between January until June 17, he said there had been a total of 681 cases reported here.
“Compared to last year during the same period, we had 210 cases reported. Currently, there is only one uncontrolled epidemic area on Kg Baru Gunung Rapat which had four cases reported. All the cases are expected to end by June 27.
“There are eight other localities in the city that have several ongoing dengue cases but are still under control. The highest is at Taman Ipoh Jaya with five cases, followed by Taman Che Wan, Taman Klebang Jaya, Seri Palma, and Kg Tersusun Tawas Tambahan with three cases respectively,” he told reporters yesterday.
Kg Rapat Jaya Tambahan, Bandar Baru Sri Klebang, and Kg Pengkalan Pegoh have two cases each.
Rumaizi said to curb the dengue problems, the Ipoh City Council (MBI) along with its councilors would be conducting more on-the-ground programmes.
“Until June 17, our officers and personnel have conducted 351 inspections involving over 20,000 homes and other premises. From these inspections, we have issued 65 compound notices worth RM32,500.
“We also had to refer 30 cases to the court as the premises had failed to settle the notices,” he said.
And in line with MBI’s goal to be the cleanest city in the country, he said that starting next year, commercial premises in Ipoh which failed to have clean toilets would not be able to renew their business licences.
“Right now, we are doing inspections at places such as restaurants and coffee shops. If their toilets are in bad condition, we will give them until December to upgrade these toilets.”
To date, Rumaizi said 592 out of 897 toilets at eateries in the city had received four-star ratings.
The council had also issued 288 compound notices amounting to RM67,500 against premises for offences such as poor toilet hygiene.
He said that some businesses, such as such as shopping malls, managed to get the highest rating for their toilets “but we still had complaints about other places failing to provide a clean toilet.”
“The highest rating system for toilets is five stars and we do have several places that achieved this rating.”
“The lowest right now is three stars. For next year, all toilets at commercial premises must have four stars and above,” he said.
He said that some business owners explained that they did not have enough workers to clean the toilets, especially during peak business hours.
