Malaysia: Concern Over Rise In Dengue Cases In First Week Of 2012

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 12 (Bernama) -- Director-General of Health Dr Hasan Abdul Rahman Thursday expressed concern over the 26 per cent rise in the number of dengue fever cases in the country in the first week of the new year, up by 90 to 440 compared to the last week of last year. The people, especially those in states affected by floods, should regard the statistics seriously, he said in a statement. He said Selangor had the highest number of 61 more cases, with Johor next with 11 more cases and Perak with 10 more cases. One death from the disease was reported in Selangor in the first week of this year, he said, adding that it was a 35-year-old woman with the civil service in Putrajaya. Dr Hasan said the woman had sought treatment twice at a private clinic before being referred to Putrajaya Hospital two days prior to her death due to dengue shock syndrome complications. "The health authorities have conducted an inspection of possible Aedes mosquito breeding grounds and carried out fogging near the home of the woman," he said. He also said that 57,439 premises were inspected last week and 833 of them were found to contain breeding grounds of the Aedes mosquito, carrier of the dengue virus. -- BERNAMA