Four dengue-related deaths in Sarawak prompt urgent action

KUCHING: Sarawak has recorded four deaths due to dengue-related complications as of last year.

Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian said the matter must not be taken lightly despite Sarawak being the third lowest in dengue cases in the country with 1,091 cases, which is 0.9 per cent out of the 123,133 dengue cases nationwide.

“Worse fear since the last meeting on Nov 7, 2023 chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi where there are 123,133 dengue cases compared to 66,102 dengue cases in 2022 in Malaysia.”

He said this in a Facebook post after attending the Cabinet Committee to Combat Dengue meeting in Putrajaya on Monday (Jan 15).

Dr Sim, who is also the Minister for Public Health, Housing and Local Government, added that Selangor recorded 61,080 cases (49.6 per cent) and the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur reported 14,206 cases (11.5 per cent) accounting for 61.1 per cent of dengue cases in Malaysia last year.

“It is not to say that urbanisation is not good, but those living in urban areas with higher density need to do more (to prevent dengue cases).

“We need to step up the proven public health preventive measures on fighting dengue.

“Education, action, and responsibility by everyone in their own environment such as at home, workplace, factories, construction sites, etc, with the support of both the state and federal agencies coming together to help.”

Meanwhile, it was previously reported that Zahid said 10 new localities for the release of Wolbachia-infected Aedes mosquitoes have been proposed to address the dengue issue in the country, with the implementation to cost RM4mil annually.

“Assessment on effectiveness shows that dengue cases have decreased by 45 per cent to 100 per cent, compared with before the release (of the Wolbachia-infected mosquito),” he said.