IPOH: Dengue cases in the state have shot up by nearly 100 per cent in the first six months of the year compared to the same period last year.
State Health Committee chairman Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon said since early this year, 13 deaths from dengue had been reported, against seven in the same period last year.
Speaking to reporters here today after visiting two dengue hotspots - Taman Cempaka and kampung Datuk Ahmad Said Tambahan 11, Dr Mah said the number of reported dengue cases during the same period had also doubled to 5,564 cases against 2,254 last year.
"Perak tops the country in having the most number of dengue hotspots," added Dr Mah.
On the sudden spike of dengue cases at Taman Cempaka and Kampung Datuk Ahmad Said Tambahan II, Dr Mah said it was due to illegal mining activities in the areas. “In Kampung Datuk Ahmad Said Tambahan II alone, five illegal mines have been detected.”
He cautioned the people to be more responsible for their surroundings.
Suggestions had been forwarded to the state government to turn the mines into recreational spots to prevent them from becoming the breeding ground for Aedes mosquitoes, Dr Mah added.