KOTA KINABALU: Sabah recorded 4,629 dengue cases – including 22 deaths – so far this year, said state Health and People's Wellbeing Minister Datuk Frankie Poon.
"The number of cases (jumped by) 1,753, or 61 per cent, as compared to the same period last year.
"As for the number of deaths related to dengue, it is the same as last year," he said in a statement today.
Poon added that Sandakan contributed the most number of cases at 1,144, followed by Kota Kinabalu (722), Tawau (698), Lahad Datu (591) and Semporna (276).
Meanwhile, three dengue outbreak hotspots which have emerged in the state capital – namely Kampung Warisan Phase 2 (5 cases), Taman Foh Sang (6 cases) and Kampung Kobuni (3 cases) – are now under control.
"Among measures being taken to contain (the outbreak) are working with all agencies and communities in controlling and preventing the disease.
"Relevant authorities have also conducted fogging and elimination of mosquito breeding ground activities at localities with dengue cases," Poon said, and advised the public to cooperate with health personnel during inspections and fogging.
Major gotong-royong activities are also being organised at several housing areas; while health education is being provided to communities to help them recognise dengue symptoms, he added.