Special task force to combat dengue

PETALING JAYA: The government will set up a special task force to combat the dengue epidemic and assuage public anxiety, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak (pix) announced today.
The task force will be headed by Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and include Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam and Urban Wellbeing, Housing, and Local Government Minister Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan.
State governments, local governments and all relevant authorities will be working closely with the task force to curb the rising cases of dengue and to implement more effective prevention methods.
"The government hopes that this special task force will be able to curb the rise of dengue cases immediately and implement prevention steps more effectively throughout the country," Najib said in a statement.
As of June 21 this year, 42,229 cases of dengue fever had been recorded, an increase of 248% compared to 12,143 cases at the same time in 2013.
The majority of cases were from Selangor, where 57.3% or 24,197 cases have been detected while Perak, the state with the second highest number of cases, has 2,666 cases.
Fatality from dengue fever had also increased by 228% or 82 cases this year compared to 25 cases at the same time last year.
A total of 75 hotspots have been identified throughout the nation, with 64 of them in Selangor, seven in Negri Sembilan, three in Kelantan, and one in Sarawak.
Meanwhile, Subramanian advised the public and all government agencies to use several dengue prevention methods during the fasting month.
They are:
(i) Ensure that areas surrounding a mosque, surau, or solat terawih are free of Aedes breeding grounds.
(ii) Ensure that bazaars are free of Aedes breeding grounds.
(iii) Organisers of Ramadan bazaars must observe cleanliness on their premises and do not litter, especially when it comes to rubbish which may accumulate water that could turn into Aedes breeding grounds.
(iv) Use mosquito repellent or wear long-sleeved clothing to avoid bites, especially during morning and evening.
(v) Ensure that residences are free of Aedes breeding grounds.