GEORGE TOWN: Penang has recorded 1,303 dengue fever cases with five deaths until March 14 this year, an increase of 188 per cent so far compared to 850 cases in the same period last year.
State Agriculture, Agro-based industries, Rural development and Health Committee chairman Dr Afif Bahardin, however said there was a 35 per cent decline with 74 dengue cases in the island from March 8 to 14 last week, compared with 114 cases in the last two weeks.
He said the authorities had managed to keep the dengue outbreak in check at 10 locations.
“The locations are Jalan Samak, Jay Series Condominium and Taman Manggis in the northeast district, Apartment Lavinia, Apartment Melati and Lintang Bukit Kecil in the southwest district, Taman Chuan Liew, Kampung Penanti and Taman Permatang Chuan Liew, Kampung Penanti and Taman Permatang Tinggi in the Seberang Perai Tengah district and Taman Bagan Baru in Seberang Perai Utara district,” he said in a statement.
However, he said there were still three locations placed on high alert, which are Jalan Lim Lean Teng in northeast district, as well as Flat Sri Bayu and Bandar Teluk Kumbar in the southwest district.
Dr Afif said Perkampungan Valdor in the Seberang Perai Selatan has been identified as a dengue hotspot.
He called the public to take part in a "gotong royong" as a precautionary step to destroy the aedes mosquito breeding grounds.
“I urged the community to apply mosquito repellent and immediately seek medical treatment at hospitals or clinics if the symptoms are detected,” he reminded.