Number of dengue cases in S’wak down this year

SIBU: The cumulative number of dengue cases in Sarawak has registered a drop of 1,789 cases or 65.6 per cent this year from the corresponding period in 2016.

The state Health Department said there were 940 dengue cases recorded between Jan 1 and Dec 24, 2017.

From the total, Sibu District has the most cases at 138, followed by Kuching (125), Betong (51), Bintulu (50) and Sarikei (47),” the statement said Friday.

The total number of fatalities due to dengue fever this year, remains at four, it added.

The department also said a total of 68,535 premises were inspected for potential Aedes mosquito breeding grounds from Jan 1 to Dec 24.

“From the total, 2,475 premises (3.6 per cent) were found to be breeding Aedes mosquitoes.”

The common breeding grounds were mostly man-made; plastic containers (10.2 per cent), pails (9.7 per cent), bins 7.8 per cent), tyres (6.1 per cent) and empty cans (5.7 per cent).

The department also issued 446 compounds amounting to RM226,000 this year under the Destructions of Disease Bearing Insect Act 1975 to curtail the Aedes menace.

It is learned that the original amount was RM226,000, but following appeals for reduction by those issued with the compounds, the total amount collected was RM128,630.