Spare 10 Minutes Every Saturday to Clean Your Home

Monday, 2 February 2009

Spare 10 Minutes Every Saturday to Clean Your Home

Rising dengue cases threaten the safety of residents

Have you left cleaning your garden and your house on the back burner lately?
Are there containers with stagnant water around your house which could be a potential breeding ground for mosquitoes?
The Ministry of Health (MOH) Malaysia is giving serious attention to the rising national trend of dengue cases over the last few years. In 2008, a total of 49,335 cases of dengue fever were reported, amounting to an increase of 489 cases or 1% as compared to the 48,846 cases reported in 2007.
Out of these reported 49,335 cases, 94% or 46,518 cases were of dengue fever (DF) while dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF) accounted for 6% or 2,817 cases.
Of the 15 states, seven states reporting increased cases were Federal Territory of Labuan (141%), Perak (46%), Terengganu (36%), Selangor (34%), Johor (16%), Melaka (13%) and Negeri Sembilan (10%).
As is widely known, the dengue infection spread through the bite of the Aedes mosquito and can be prevented if all parties involved play their part in preventing the spread of dengue. Cooperation of the community needs to be further strengthened.
What can you do to prevent dengue from infecting you and your family?
Just spend 10 minutes every Saturday morning checking your garden, back lane and your surrounding area for possible breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Teach your children to do this as well. It can be a fun time for the family.
The Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ) is taking serious measures to prevent the spread of dengue. Initiatives are ongoing to clean up areas, carry out fogging and also to organize talks for the community on dengue.
If you would like to organize one for your community, email mpsj@mpsj.gov.my.