Guan Eng: Don't turn JE cases into racial issue

PETALING JAYA: Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng slammed quarters who had `racialised' the Japanese Encephalitis (JE) issue in Penang.
Lim, in a statement, said that while the state government is relieved over the results of the blood samples, he noted that the matter should be treated as a disease and health issues, and not a racial issue.
Yesterday, Veterinary Services Department announced that the 181 blood samples taken from 20 piggeries in the vicinity of Kampung Selamat in Seberang Prai, Penang were tested negative for JE.
"The Penang state government strongly condemns the irresponsible mainstream media for highlighting the JE cases in Penang by `racialising' it before the test results were even announced," he said.
Lim alleged that Barisan Nasional politicians also politicised the matter by making irresponsible and baseless statements to fan the issue with racial and religious sentiments.
"Of the three JE cases in Penang, two were from areas in George Town and Butterworth where there are no pig farms or livestock rearings whatsoever.
"However, despite finding no traces of the mosquito-borne virus in the livestock, the Veterinary Department should advise (operators) of all pig, chicken or buffalo farms to tighten their biosecurity measures and ensure cleanliness and proper sanitation in their compounds. This is to prevent their farms from becoming breeding grounds for mosquitoes," he said.
JE is caused by mosquitoes active around livestock rearing from cows, ducks, chicken, birds, goats and pigs.
He noted that the Health and Veterinary department should redouble efforts to investigate the source of the virus, including random tests not just on livestock rearing, but also on wild fowls and other animals such as pet birds.
He added that whilst focus is on the three JE cases in Penang, the public and the Health Ministry should not forget the danger posed by dengue.
"This year, Penang recorded 924 dengue cases, a 175% increase from the 336 cases for the same period last year. The 175% increase in dengue cases for Penang is lower than the national average of a 264% increase to 44,518 cases this year from 12,858 cases for the same period last year," he said.
Lim noted while the national dengue death toll increased from 27 deaths to 85 deaths this year, the dengue deaths in Penang remain the same at three deaths this year compared to last year.
"Only a cleaner and greener Penang can reduce the escalation of dengue cases," he said, adding that Penang state Health committee chairman Dr Afif Bahardin will continue his pro-active measures against both dengue and JE in Penang.