Penang records increase in dengue cases this year

GEORGE TOWN: Penang has recorded an increase in dengue cases from January until Sept 6, with 1,401 cases reported compared to only 531 cases in the same period last year.
State Agriculture, Agro-based Industry, Rural Development and Health Committee chairman Dr Afif Bahardin said five deaths were recorded during that period compared to two deaths last year.
"Dengue fever cases increased by 870 cases or 163.8 per cent during that time with five controlled localities namely Flat Indah in Teluk Bahang and Mutiara Perdana Dua in Sungai Ara, Barat Daya district as well as Lebuh Penang and Apartment Kota Emas in the Timur Laut district.
"An uncontrolled locality was reported at Jalan Perda Selatan in Seberang Prai Tengah (SPT) and a hotspot in Greenlane, George Town," he said in a statement here today.
Therefore, he reminded the public to continue taking preventive measures to combat Aedes and to clean up their areas weekly. – Bernama