Main image via Merco Press + PR Newswire + Bulacan Online
As Malaysians, we have much to celebrate as the nation is currently seeing a decline in the number of COVID-19 cases.
With the good comes the bad and unfortunately, as COVID-19 cases are going down, dengue cases are going up and it’s expected to increase until September 2020.
via GIPHY
According to the Director-General of Health Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah, after seeing an upwards trend of 8% for six consecutive weeks, Malaysia is projected to record a higher number of dengue cases from June to September.
84 deaths have been reported in that time frame, compared to the 83 deaths in the same time period last year.
“Based on preliminary investigations into the 84 dengue-related deaths earlier this year, it was found that 11% were late in seeking treatment, about three days after the symptoms first appeared,” the Director-General said.
“The Health Ministry (MOH) expects an increase in dengue cases with the second wave starting from early June until September 2020, as based on the trend of dengue fever cases over the last five years,” he added.
Image via PR Newswire
As more business sectors open under the Recovery Movement Control Order, premises that have not been in use since the MCO began will contribute to the risk of increased dengue cases.
Dr Noor Hisham urged the public and business owners to clean up the places favoured by the Aedes mosquito as its breeding ground – usually places with stagnant water.
“In this regard, the public are urged to improve the level of cleanliness in their respective areas, especially places where water stagnates such as pools and toilets that are all potential places for the Aedes mosquite to breed,” he said.
“The fight against the Aedes mosquito and dengue fever is our responsibility, just as the community has worked together to stem the spread of the COVID-19 infection,” he continued.
The Director-General and the MOH also recommend that the public and business owner clean their premises, both indoors and outdoors, on a weekly basis. Insecticide should also be sprayed in the places that have been unused since the beginning of the MCO.
Image via Bulacan Online
Those who have dengue fever symptoms should visit their nearest health facility as soon as possible.
“If you have dengue fever symptoms, seek treatment at the nearest health facility immediately. The enforcement of the conditional movement control order or RMCO should not be a hindrance to early treatment,” Dr Noor Hisham noted.
“All healthcare facilities, both public and private, should be on alert for suspected dengue cases. They need immediate treatment and referral in case of further treatment,” he said.
According to MOH’s Crisis Preparedness Response Centre (CPRC), Malaysia recorded over 130,101 dengue cases last year, rising 61 per cent from 2018 with 182 deaths.
Now that you know that dengue season is here, please be sure to take all measures you can to stop Aedes mosquitoes from breeding. And if you’re feeling unwell or showing any dengue fever symptoms, please head to your closest doctor to get it checked.
Share this with your family and friends so that they’re aware too!
Info via Malay Mai