By Ida Nadirah Ibrahim
SHAH ALAM, March 15 — The Selangor government has initiated the Selangor Integrated Dengue Operation (OBDS) on February 15 in four districts recording the highest cumulative number of cases, namely Petaling, Hulu Langat, Klang and Gombak, says Dr Siti Mariah Mahmud.
The state executive councillor for public health said the integrated operations involve several state agencies and departments, such as the Selangor State Health Department (JKNS), district and land offices, and local authorities.
She said the health volunteer bodies involved are the Selangor Community Health Volunteers (Suka), Communication for Behavioral Impact (Combi), Komuniti Sihat Perkasa Negara (Kospen) and Team Selangor.
“The integrated operations will end on March 22, targeting four districts with the highest cumulative number of dengue, namely Petaling, Hulu Langat, Klang and Gombak.
“All of the agencies would collaborate to carry out preventive measures such as eliminating breeding grounds, gotong-royong programmes and advocacy activities with the local communities through the distribution of leaflets and increasing the use of repellents and aerosol sprays,” she said when answering a question by Seri Setia state assemblyman Halimey Abu Bakar on the latest data on dengue cases in the state during the Selangor State Legislative Assembly sitting, here today.
Dr Siti Mariah said as of March 11, the cumulative number of dengue fever cases reported in the state this year is 11,183.
She said this was an increase of 143 per cent (6,580 cases) from the 4,603 cases reported during the same period last year.
She said two deaths due to dengue had been reported this year.
“During the 10th epi week, which is from March 5 to 11, a total of 1,055 cases were reported in Selangor, an increase of 5.3 per cent (53 cases) compared to 1,002 cases the previous week,” she said.
The Seri Serdang state assemblyman also noted the inadequate cleanliness in the back lanes of premises, illegal gardens, abandoned empty buildings and vacant lands are some of the factors contributing to the rise in the number of dengue cases.
“This situation is growing increasingly concerning in addition to the attitude of some people who care less about the risks of dengue fever,” she said.
