‘23pc of playgrounds are hotspots for Aedes mosquitoes’
PUTRAJAYA: Twenty-three per cent of the 700 playgrounds nationwide checked by the Health Ministry were found to be Aedes-breeding grounds, and this had contributed to the increasing number of dengue cases.
Its minister, Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam, said measures to eradicate the menace should be implemented immediately as such locations were frequented the public.
“We view this matter seriously as playgrounds are frequented in the morning and evening when mosquitoes are the most active. We urge the public to take precautions when they visit playgrounds, including wearing longsleeved shirts and trousers.”
Dr Subramaniam said this after chairing the Dengue Special Task Force Meeting at his ministry here yesterday.
He said several other places had also been identified as Aedes-breeding grounds.
“A total of 22 per cent of Aedes-breeding grounds are located at vacant plots of land, abandoned housing project sites (17 per cent), factories or warehouses (11 per cent) and cemetery (10 per cent),” he said.
Dr Subramaniam said for this year, the ministry would focus on eradicating breeding grounds in these areas.
He added that this would be done with the cooperation of several parties.
In a related development, Dr Subramaniam said the number of dengue cases had shown a declining trend for the second consecutive year from 101,357 cases in 2016 to 83,849 cases last year.
“Fatal dengue cases also showed a declining trend with 177 deaths last year, compared with 237 in 2016.
“Up to this month, 7,848 dengue cases with 17 deaths were reported. In the same period last year, 12,576 cases with 34 deaths were reported.”