DENGUE cases in Klang district went up by almost 186% as at Sept 10 compared to the corresponding period last year.

An average of 124 confirmed cases of dengue have been reported weekly in Klang since the start of the year.

As at Sept 10, Klang district recorded 4,477 cases. No fatality is reported.

Klang Municipal Council (MPK) Health Department director Azmi Muji said there were 1,566 dengue cases in the corresponding period last year.

“The dengue cases were lower last year as more people were indoors due to the lockdown as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“The hot weather with intermittent rain has led to an increase in the Aedes mosquito population,” he said.

Of the 11 areas in Klang district, Sentosa had 926 cases, Kota Kemuning had 868 while Sungai Kandis had 482.

“Our department’s environmental health inspectors are conducting checks in housing, commercial and industrial areas to eradicate mosquito breeding sites,” said Azmi.

“Other than containers that collect water, neglected potted plants in the back lanes of residential areas have been found to be breeding sites for mosquitoes.

“We want the people to ensure the pots do not collect rainwater,” he said.

Over the past weeks, MPK health inspectors have been spraying insecticide in Taman Sentosa, Bandar Baru Klang, Taman Palm Grove and Taman Bayu Perdana to control the adult mosquito population.

Azmi said dengue remained a serious public health threat.

“People should spend 10 minutes a week to check their homes and surrounding areas to ensure there are no Aedes breeding sites.

“Clean up the place and bag the rubbish for collection,” he said.

Selangor public health, unity, women and family committee chairman Dr Siti Mariah Mahmud urged people not to be complacent.

“Continue taking precautions and ensure stagnant water does not collect in empty containers,” she said.

Common symptoms of dengue fever include headache, body ache, fatigue, vomiting and skin rash. — By EDWARD RAJENDRA

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[1] Thestar