Sandakan records 326 dengue cases

SANDAKAN: A total of 326 dengue fever cases were recorded from January to December 8, this year.

There was an alarming increase in dengue fever cases from September, 2018 involving two hotspots in Kampung Forest and Kampung Bakau.

A representative of Sandakan Health Officer, Dr Nafsah Dulajis revealed that there was a total of 44 dengue fever occurences involving39 localities during the same period.

“The localities that are still active (with dengue fever) are Kampung Forest and Kampung Bakau, which are marked as hotspots for dengue fever recorded in the two locations for more than 30 days.

“Two localities are categorised as ‘uncontrolled Dengue plague’ for increasing dengue cases within 14 days, namely Taman Sejati and Kampung Berhala Darat.

“Eight localities are categorised as ‘controlled Dengue plague’ for two cases recorded in the same location, including Kampung Tinusa 2, Kampung Segaliud, Taman Mesra, Kampung Pangeran Galpam, Taman Harmoni, Kampung Bambangan, Kampung Istimewa and Taman Bahagia,” she said.

Dr Nafsah said that in order to curb and control dengue fever cases here, the Sandakan Health Department had launched the Bengkel Ops Tayar 2018 operation which involves operations in workshops and premises around hotspots and plague areas.

“A total of nine operations involving inspection in workshops were done within the year, and 23 notices were issued,” she said, adding that the operations were conducted with the collaboration of Sandakan Municipal Council.

She also urged the people of Sandakan to get to the nearest clinic for treatment if there are symptoms of fever, body pain, joint pain, vomiting, or headache, because early treatment could avoid further complication caused by dengue.