KOTA KINABALU: Cases of people contracting malaria in Sabah have increased by 173.5 per cent thus far this year.
Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister Datuk Edward Yong Oui Fah said malaria is among the five most reported communicable diseases in Sabah with 1,660 cases recorded.
“Ranau has the highest number of reports at 273 followed by Keningau (270); Tenom (171); Kudat (110); and Nabawan (110),” he said at the state assembly sitting, here.
Edward was responding to Datuk Abd Muis Picho (BN-Sebatik) on the most common infectious diseases faced by Sabah people and the preventive measures taken by the government.
Other communicable diseases were tuberculosis (TB); dengue; hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD); and food poisoning.
On HMFD, Edward noted 1,803 cases were reported statewide, adding the highest report comes from Kota Kinabalu (418) followed by Sandakan (233); Tuaran (197); Penampang (188); and Lahad Datu (101).
“Most of the cases involved children and the health ministry is constanstly inspecting the cleanliness of Taska and Tabika in the state. Measure such as disinfecting the surrounding of schools will be immediately carried out,” he said.
He also noted dengue cases in the state have dropped by 32.26 percent to 2,074 reports with five mortalities.
Kota Kinabalu recorded the highest reports (374) followed by Tawau (259); Sandakan (235); Semporna (189); and Lahad Datu (165).
“Five dengue mortalities have been recorded this year with each death case reported in Kota Kinabalu, Penampang, Tuaran, Tawau and Semporna,” he said.
On TB, there were 4,251 cases with Kota Kinabalu having the highest case (711) followed by Tawau (436); Sandakan (414); Lahad Datu (288); and Semporna (287).
Edward also said food poisoning case received 1,448 reports, adding Kota Kinabalu has the highest cases followed by Tawau, Pitas, Semporna, and Penampang.