By Nadiah Zamlus
SHAH ALAM, Oct 16 — Selangor has recorded 49 dengue-related deaths and a total of 57,980 cases as of Saturday (October 12).
Its Health, Welfare, and Women and Family Empowerment executive council (exco) Dr Siti Mariah Mahmud said this places Selangor as the state with the highest recorded cases, which makes up 55 per cent of the total cases nationwide.
She said with a total 21,858 cases as of Sunday (October 13), the Petaling district has the highest number of cases in an area nationwide, followed by Hulu Langat (12,245), Klang (10,698) and Gombak (7,497).
“One of the reasons why [the number is high] is due to the high population in Selangor, with an estimated 6.52 million people, representing 20 per cent of the Malaysian population.
“Another factor is due to the existence of the transient population in the state as there are several higher learning institutions located in Selangor. The relocation of the students in and out of the state can be a contributing factor to the increased number of cases,” said Dr Siti Mariah at a press conference here today, adding that the number of foreign workers plays a role as well.
She said several locations around the workplace and residential areas of foreign workers were identified to be the breeding ground of Aedes mosquitoes.
She said the state government, through the Health Standing Committee with the cooperation of the State Health Department, has spotted several areas that are potential breeding grounds, which includes abandoned buildings, construction sites and vehicles, illegal recycling centres, illegal orchards and uncontrolled waste disposal areas.
“I urge the people of Selangor, especially those who are located in the dengue hotspots, to take necessary precautionary steps to ensure the outbreak does not get out of hand.
“Strict action will be taken against anyone found to have purposely left Aedes mosquito breeding grounds uncleared,” she said.
