‘Sevenfold spike in dengue cases in Miri this year’

MIRI: Dengue cases in Miri District have skyrocketed over seven folds to 248 cases this year, including one death from the disease.

Health Department Sarawak director Dr Jamilah Hashim, in a statement yesterday, disclosed that there was an increase of 726.7 per cent in cases recorded from Jan 1 and Oct 5 this year – up from only 30 cases during the corresponding period last year.

She said a 68-year-old man, who lived at Jalan Kuching, Timur 3 in Taman Tunku here, succumbed to the disease on Sept 22 this year.

According to Dr Jamilah, 11 localities here have been declared as dengue outbreak areas, versus only two last year — representing a jump of 450 per cent.

In view of the dengue outbreak, she reminded those experiencing symptoms of fever to head immediately to the nearest clinic for medical check-ups and treatments.

“Go immediately for a medical check-up and treatment, as any delay could be fatal,” she said.

Dr Jamilah reminded residents that the war against dengue was a collective responsibility and one of the preventive measures was getting rid of potential breeding grounds of Aedes mosquitoes in or outside their houses.

“It must be stressed that spraying is not effective in controlling the dengue outbreak – if the Aedes (mosquitoes’) breeding grounds are not eliminated,” she said, adding that putting up mosquito netting was also another preventive measure.

Members of the public can look up the prevention guidelines recommended by the Ministry of Health via www.myhealth.gov. my or www.infosihat.gov.my.