RED ALERT! « SJ Echo

Tuesday, 2 February 2010

RED ALERT!

High number of dengue cases in Subang Jaya stirs fear of another outbreak

DENGUE is back with a vengeance in Subang Jaya!
Over the first two weeks of 2010, the number of cases reported positive in the municipality has way surpassed the corresponding period last year.
In the first week of January this year itself, 37 positive dengue cases in Subang Jaya were reported to the Ministry of Health’s Vector Control Unit. In the first week of 2009, it was 33.
For the second week this year, 40 positive dengue cases were reported up to January 16. Last year, the cases numbered 39.
According to statistics provided by the Subang Jaya Municipal Council, 1,122 cases tested positive for dengue was reported last year in the municipality. Up to January 16 this year, 77 cases have been recorded.

The highest recorded cases for dengue this time around appear to be concentrated in SS18, followed by PJS7 and PJS9 in Sunway; USJ2 and SS14.
MPSJ health director Dr Abdul Rahim Ahmad said for the week ending January 23 this year, nine cases were reported with six confirmed to be dengue in SS14 alone.
“We have mobilized our units to carry out checks in SS14 and SS18 for breeding spots, larvaciding and fogging.”
“Our officers found 31 breeding sites, mostly in house compounds,” he told SJ Echo.
Dr Rahim urged all residents to check their compounds, both inside and outside their property, for Aedes breeding spots and to immediately destroy them.
“Despite the fogging we have done in SS14, the number of cases is still high mainly because there are many breeding spots inside the house compound,” he said, adding the fogging will continue to be carried out until the number of cases dropped in the area.
In the first week of this year, the youngest victim in SS14 to be tested positive for dengue is 7 years old while the oldest victim in that same period is 64 years old.
The youngest victim in SS18 is 12 years old while the oldest victim in the area is 68 years old.
Dr Rahim said it was important for residents to spare some time to clean up their homes and surroundings to keep dengue at bay.
Are you a survivor of dengue? Or do you have relatives who just had dengue? Write to us and tell us your ordeal while in hospital. Send us an email at editor@sjecho.com.my.