ALOR STAR: The number of dengue fever cases in Kedah increased to 223 between Jan 1 and March 14 this year compared to 163 during the corresponding period last year, said State Director of Health Datuk Dr Norhizan Ismail.
An increase in the number of cases was recorded in eight districts, he said, adding that the Kota Setar district registered the highest increase, from 14 to 48.
Dr Norhizan said there were no deaths from dengue so far this year.
He said the State Health Department inspected 66,030 premises and found 1,305 of them to have breeding grounds for the Aedes mosquito, carrier of the dengue virus.
A total of 491 compound fines worth RM227,700 were issued to owners of premises where the breeding grounds were found, he added.
He also said that 87,202 premises were fogged to destroy mosquitoes and Abate was dispensed to 43,702 premises to eradicate the mosquito larvae.
Dr Norhizan advised the people to help check the spread of dengue by keeping their houses and surroundings clean and to discard refuse properly.
He advised them to seek medical treatment if they had dengue fever symptoms such as fever, headache, joint pains, rashes on the body, diarrhoea, abdominal pain and vomiting. --BERNAMA