Three dengue deaths in Penang this year

PERMATANG PAUH: Penang have so far recorded three deaths due to dengue fever.
The latest victim was Gau Tong Sun, 62, of Taman Mokok in Bukit Mertajam, who died on Feb 2 after being admitted to the Bukit Mertajam Hospital on Jan 29.
This has prompted Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng (pix) to advice those who are not feeling well to seek medical treatment.
He said the state recorded 13 deaths from dengue last year compared to 19 in 2015, an average of bout a death a month.
"Now we already have three deaths, see a doctor if you are not feeling well," he said at a press conference today where he gave RM1,000 to Gau Tong Guan, 57, and Gau Cheng Kee, 69, who are the brothers of Tong Sun.
Recalling what happened, Tong Guan said his brother complained of not feeling well and asked to be taken to the Bukit Mertajam Hospital.
He said his brother was single and earned an income by collecting recyclable items for sale and wondered if he contracted the infection while on his rounds.
"He passed away about 9.30pm," he said, adding that Tong Sun was the fifth among nine siblings.
On the number of dengue cases in Penang, State Health Committee chairman Dr Afif Bahardin said 214 cases have been recorded as of Feb 4 compared to 907 cases in the same period last year.
He said dengue fever has been recorded in 10 locations with eight of those "under control" and another two – Jalan Logan and the Delima Indah apartments – classified as "uncontrolled".
He urged residents to ensure their surroundings were clean and free from stagnant water and to seek immediate medical attention when feeling ill.