Malaysia: Dengue Fever/Chikungunya cases

[Shiloh]

Re: Malaysia: Dengue Fever cases

Re: Malaysia: Dengue Fever cases

Source: http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=402509

April 07, 2009 20:53 PM
Decline In Dengue, Chikungunya Cases

KUALA LUMPUR, April 7 (Bernama) -- Dengue cases in the country declined by 252 cases or 21 per cent between March 29 and April 4, from 1,175 cases recorded the previous week.

The director-general of Health, Tan Sri Dr Mohd Ismail Merican, said 923 dengue cases were reported throughout the 13th week this year with no death recorded.

In a statement issued here today, he said two states, however, recorded an increase in dengue cases in the same week, namely Perlis with a 100 per cent increase (four cases) and Melaka with 90 per cent (nine cases).

Selangor remained the top contributor to the statistics so far with 509 cases, followed by Kuala Lumpur/Putrajaya (78), Perak (66), Johor (59), Penang (52) and the other states which recorded less than five per cent of cases.

Dr Mohd Ismail said a total of 15,031 cases were recorded until April 4 with 38 deaths, compared with 9,889 cases and 22 deaths over the same period last year.

He said 95 localities were identified as the hot spots for aedes breeding, 1,597 premises inspected, and 488 compound fines amounting to RM90,700 and 291 cleaning notices issued so far.

On Chikungunya cases, Dr Mohd Ismail said 42 cases were reported in the same week (March 29-April 4) compared with 45 cases the previous week.

Of the number, 25 patients received out-patient treatment while the others were warded. No death was reported.

So far, he said only one locality was identified as Chikungunya area, namely Kg Raja Bashah in Kuala Kurau, Perak.

 

[Shiloh]

Re: Malaysia: Dengue Fever cases

Re: Malaysia: Dengue Fever cases

Source: http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v5/newsgeneral.php?id=406298

April 23, 2009 19:53 PM

Increase In Dengue And Chikungunya Cases

KUALA LUMPUR, April 23(Bernama) -- Another death due to dengue fever was reported during the week between April 12 and 18, bringing the death toll due to the disease in the country to 40 people this year.

Health Director-General Tan Sri Dr Mohd Ismail Merican said the number of dengue cases reported during the week showed an increase of eight per cent, from 794 cases in the previous week (April 5 to 11) to 859 cases.

In a statement issued here Thursday, he said the increase in dengue cases were reported in Penang (35 cases), the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya (18 each), Selangor (18), Johor (10), Sarawak (four) and one each in Perlis, Sabah and Negri Sembilan.

He said a total of 16,684 dengue cases, with 40 deaths, had been reported in the country this year until April 18, compared with 11,386 cases, including 29 deaths, during the corresponding period last year.

A total of 85 dengue hotspots had been identified with 82 of the localities, or 96 per cent, in Selangor, while the remaining were in Johor, Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Sarawak, he added.

He said a total of 481 compound notices, involving fines of RM72,159, and 300 notices to clean up premises of aedes breeding grounds were issued last week.

On Chikungunya cases, Dr Mohd Ismail said there was also an increase in the number of cases reported last week, which was 45, from 39 cases in the previous week.

He said the increase in Chikungunya cases were reported in the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya, Pahang, Terengganu, Johor and Selangor.

The number of Chikungunya cases reported until April 18 was 1,24. There was no death.

-- BERNAMA

 

[Shiloh]

Re: Malaysia: Dengue Fever cases

Re: Malaysia: Dengue Fever cases

Source: http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Saturday/National/2540839/Article/index_html

2009/04/25
Hoh: Health Dept's efforts to curb dengue showing good results

THE efforts of the state Health Department has helped reduced the number of dengue and Chikungunya cases last year.
State Health Committee chairman Datuk Hoh Khai Mun said the number of cases reported last year was 50.8 per cent lower than the previous year.

Only 292 cases were reported in the first three months of this year, he said, which were 22.5 per cent lower than the corresponding period last year.

In his reply to Choong Siew Onn (DAP-Tras), Hoh said 94,457 premises had been checked as of Thursday, with one per cent confirmed to be Aedes mosquito-breeding grounds.

He said 184,394 premises were fogged to date, while 279 talks on dengue were held in the state. The department has also organised 118 gotong-royong this year, involving 16,530 people.

"The department still finds it difficult to have a gotong royong as not many people are interested to participate."

To a question from Chang Hong Seong (BN-Teruntum), Hoh said only 36 per cent of the 1,103 posts for medical officers in the state had been filled, which included 105 specialists.

He said 86 per cent of the 6,203 posts for paramedics in the state had been filled.

 

[Shiloh]

Re: Malaysia: Dengue Fever cases

Re: Malaysia: Dengue Fever cases

Source: http://health.asiaone.com/Health/News/Story/A1Story20090427-137656.html

Dengue alert in Bandar Baru Uda, JB
Mon, Apr 27, 2009
The Star

JOHOR BARU, MALAYSIA: Bandar Baru Uda has been declared a dengue area after 31 cases were reported in the past week.

Johor Baru City Council mayor Datuk Mohd Naim Nasir, who led a gotong-royong to clean up the area, said urgent action had to be taken before the fever claimed lives.

He said 322 cases of dengue were reported within the council jurisdiction as of April 18, with Bandar Baru Uda topping the list.

He said the council would be stricter with summonses if residents did not ensure that their homes and surroundings were free of Aedes mosquito breeding grounds.

The council checked 929 residences and schools in Bandar Baru Uda in the first three months of the year and found 333 possible mosquito-breeding spots.

Rahman Hamzah, 64, said it was important for residents to keep their neighbourhood clean, adding that it was not just the council's responsibility to keep places clean.

Businessman Miskam Marthinin, 56, urged residents to be responsible and get rid of stagnant water within their homes to prevent the mosquitoes from breeding.

-The Star/Asia News Network

 

[Shiloh]

Re: Malaysia: Dengue Fever cases

Re: Malaysia: Dengue Fever cases

Source: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/index.php/malaysia/24980-one-dengue-death-number-of-cases-drops

One dengue death, number of cases drops

KUALA LUMPUR, April 29 ? There were 847 cases of dengue fever with one death reported between April 19 and 25.

The Disease Control Division of the Health Ministry said in a statement here today that the figure showed a slight reduction from the 859 cases reported in the previous week.

Eight states which showed an increase in the week were Perlis (up by nine cases), Kedah (up by five cases), Melaka (up by four cases), Johor (up by 11 cases), Sabah (up by two cases), and Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya (up by three cases each).

Up to April 25, 18 of the 85 hot-spots which were reported in the previous week had been free of the dengue outbreak although 13 new hot-spots were found, making a total of 80 hot-spots.

As for Chikungunya, there was an increase of 36 cases in the week under review with a total of 131 cases nationwide compared with 95 cases in the previous week. ? Bernama

 

[Shiloh]

Re: Malaysia: Dengue Fever cases

Re: Malaysia: Dengue Fever cases

Source: http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Friday/National/2546019/Article/index_html

2009/05/01
Liow more concerned with dengue situation
By : Annie Freeda Cruez

KUALA LUMPUR: "Wow! It's definitely an interaction which took me by surprise as many people went online to communicate with me, including a politician," said Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai.
He said the NSTLive was a good way for politicians to interact with the public and to know what they were thinking about.

"I am happy that I was able to answer many questions, especially on swine flu. People are still in the dark as to what is happening and what is being done in the country."

Thanking NST readers for chatting with him, Liow said he would not hesitate to return to discuss more on dengue as the situation in the country was becoming serious, with more than 16,000 cases and more than 41 deaths this year.

"The dengue situation is worse than swine flu," Liow said, adding that he needed the public to interact with him about dengue on NSTLive.
"We need public participation for the dengue campaign and what better way than the NSTLive."

At NSTLive, which took off at 4pm, 212 questions were fielded by members of the public, with the minister managing to answer 96 of them within one-and-a-half hours -- 30 minutes longer than what he had planned.

Liow said he was pleasantly surprised at how some of his answers were rebutted.

"It was really interesting. I am happy that I was able to enlighten and dispel the worries of the public."

Liow said the information system had advanced and there was a need to keep up with the latest technology to be in touch with the people.

Citing NSTLive, he said, the people were able to communicate and get answers faster online than waiting for the print media.

Just before he left to hold a press conference at the New Straits Times Press headquarters in Balai Berita here on the latest updates about swine flu, Liow presented the prizes at NST's monthly awards.

 

[Shiloh]

Re: Malaysia: Dengue Fever cases

Re: Malaysia: Dengue Fever cases

Source: http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Friday/National/2545981/Article/index_html

2009/05/01
Chikungunya epidemic under control
By : Desmond Davidson

KUCHING: Nearly a month after an outbreak where 150 people were infected, the state government yesterday disclosed there was a chikungunya epidemic in coastal areas of Sri Aman and Betong.
Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan, who is also state Disaster and Relief Committee chairman said there were no deaths and the epidemic had been contained.

"The number of suspected cases reported is also fewer now," he said at a press conference to announce measures to tackle swine flu.

The chikungunya epidemic broke out in five coastal areas in the two divisions. The first case was detected on March 26.

State Health director Dr Mohd Kamil Hassan said Sarawak migrant workers who had worked in chikungunya infected states in the peninsula could have carried the virus back, adding there were thousands of Sarawakians working in Johor.
Dr Kamil said the poor environment in villages in the affected areas had also contributed to the outbreak.

The state Health Department had distributed mosquito nets to villages and carried out extensive fogging.

On swine flu, Dr Chan said the state had banned the import of live pigs and fresh pork products to curb the possible spread of the flu.

He said the ban, effective from Monday, would be in place until the threat was over.

The state imports about two per cent of its pork needs and Dr Chan said the ban would not affect the supply of pork.

To screen international travellers who could have visited swine flu infected countries, all passengers on direct flights from Pontianak, Singapore, Jakarta, Brunei and Macau into Kuching would now have to fill a health form similar to the ones that travellers are required to fill when flying into this country.

Dr Chan also said the Sarawak General Hospital here and the hospitals in Sibu and Miri had been designated swine flu quarantine centres.

 

[Shiloh]

Re: Malaysia: Dengue Fever/Chikungunya cases

Source: http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/5/5/nation/20090505190328&sec=nation

100 villagers down with mystery fever
By EMBUN MAJID

ALOR SETAR: The Kedah Health Department has sent a team to investigate claims that 100 villagers in the Pokok Sena district here have come down with a ?mystery fever,? suspected to be chikungunya, since March.

Its director Datuk Dr Hasnah Ismail said the team would take blood samples from the villagers for testing.

?We will know the result within two days,? she said on Tuesday.

The villagers say that the disease that originated in Desa Keda Kampung Bukit has spread to Kampung Hujung Bendang, Kampung Baru and Kampung Bendang Baru.

They say they are suffering from high fever, rashes, arthritis affecting multiple joints and headaches, symptoms similar to those of chikunguya.

?One day my neighbour had the fever, the next day I got it,? said villager Halibon Saad, 57.

?When I was infected with the ?mystery fever,? I could not move my muscles and my body temperature rose.

?I went to see a doctor at a nearby clinic but he could not determine what my illness was,? he said when met Tuesday.

Awang Mat, 63, also from Kampung Baru, said his fever lasted for a week but he was still suffering from muscle pains.

?Some of my friends suffered muscle pains for about a month,? he said.

 

[Shiloh]

Re: Malaysia: Dengue Fever/Chikungunya cases

Source: http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v5/newsindex.php?id=409258

May 06, 2009 20:07 PM
Dengue Cases Increase, Two Deaths Reported

KUALA LUMPUR, May 6 (Bernama) -- A total of 870 dengue cases involving two deaths were reported between April 26 and May 2, the Health Ministry said Wednesday.

The Ministry's Disease Control Division, here said this showed a three per cent increase (23 cases) compared to the previous week of 847 cases.

Five states showed an increase that week namely Sabah (seven cases), Negeri Sembilan (four cases), Perak (nine cases), Selangor (60 cases) and Sarawak (one case).

Until May 2, 66 dengue hotspots were reported of which 65 were in Selangor and one located in Johor.

The ministry has issued 394 compounds worth RM67,200 and 259 notices to residents and building owners last week, and found that 72 per cent of the buildings which were positive for aedes breeding were houses and shops.

Meanwhile, the number of Chikungunya cases had shown a decrease 46 per cent (60 cases) in the same week, where 71 cases were reported nationwide compared to 131 cases the previous week.

Three states recorded an increase with 10 cases in Kelantan, Perak (three cases) and Terengganu (two cases).

Gotong-royong and health promotion activities had been improved this year, with 879 gotong-royong activities carried out nationwide involving the participation of 48,285 residents until May 2.

-- BERNAMA

 

[Shiloh]

Re: Malaysia: Dengue Fever/Chikungunya cases

Source: http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v5/newsgeneral.php?id=409289

May 06, 2009 20:50 PM

Mysterious Disease Strikes 200 Villagers

ALOR SETAR, May 6 (Bernama) -- More than 200 residents in four villages around Pokok Sena have been reported to experience a mysterious disease, with its symptoms similar to that of Chikungunya, but almost all have recovered.

Kota Setar Health Officer, Dr Abu Hashim Ahmad said, investigations and checks on residents in the affected areas found that two were affected by the fever.

"A 76-year-old woman from Kampung Baru, Pokok Sena, was warded in the Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital for further treatment while another was given normal treatment," he told reporters after leading 50 health officers and staff to visit and check each house in the four villages.

The Kedah Health Department in a statement Wednesday said, those affected had experienced fever and joint pains but recovered after receiving treatment at a nearby private clinic.

He said a control team will continue to keep an eye on all the villages involved.

The fever was believed to have started in Kampung Desa Keda which then made its way to Kampung Hujung Bendang, Kampung Bendang Baru and Kampung Baru, here, since mid-March.



-- BERNAMA

 

[Shiloh]

Re: Malaysia: Dengue Fever/Chikungunya cases

Source: http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Monday/National/2553853/Article/index_html

2009/05/10
10 villages hit by chikungunya

PENDANG: Residents in 10 villages within the Pendang and Padang Terap districts in Kedah are believed to have been struck down by chikungunya.
The affected villages here are Kampung Bendang Raja, Kampung Banggol, Kampung Perupuk, Kampung Charok Tok Min, Kampung Kubang Lerek, Kampung Nandam, Kampung Budi and Kampung Pokok Asam.

Kampung Kepala Batas and Kampung Jalan Naka are the two affected villages in the Padang Terap district.

Checks at the Kubur Panjang Health Clinic here found 10 patients, who were getting treatment. They claimed that they have been suffering from fever and joint pains since the middle of last month.

Siah Ending, 85, from Kampung Bendang Raja said her symptoms appeared a few days ago.

"Some of my neighbours have the same symptoms. I was so weak that I was bedridden. I had to ask my son to bring me to the clinic for treatment," she said yesterday.

State Health Department director Datuk Dr Hasnah Ismail said four people from four villages in the Pendang district were suspected to have contracted the disease.

She said the villagers were from Kampung Bendang Raja, Kampung Perupuk, Kampung Banggol and Kampung Charok Tok Min.

The department has deployed its officers to check on possible chikungunya cases in several villages in the Padang Terap and Kota Star districts.

 

[Shiloh]

Re: Malaysia: Dengue Fever/Chikungunya cases

Source: http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/state_news/news.php?id=410123&cat=nt

Northern Region News
May 10, 2009 20:46 PM

Four Suspected Chikungunya Cases In Pendang

ALOR SETAR, May 10 (Bernama) -- Four people said to be suffering from a mysterious illness are suspected of having contracted chikungunya.

Kedah Health Department director Datuk Dr Hasnah Ismail said the victims were from Kampung Bendang Raja, Kampung Perupuk, Kampung Banggol and Kampung Charok Tok Min in the Pendang district.

She said the viral disease was suspected of also having infected several residents in the Padang Terap and Kota Setar districts.

"Health teams had been sent to the affected villages to investigate the reports received, with four people said to be suffering from a mysterious illness suspected of contracting chikungunya," she said in a media statement today.

Chikungunya was first detected in Pokok Sena, Kedah in March this year when more than 200 people were affected by the symptoms.

Dr Hasnah urged the public to cooperate in stamping the disease by ensuring cleanliness of their surroundings and destroying all mosquito breeding grounds, while the Health Department would carry out fogging.

She advised those having fever, joint aches and rashes to immediately seek medical treatment.

-- BERNAMA

 

[Shiloh]

Re: Malaysia: Dengue Fever/Chikungunya cases

Source: http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/state_news/news.php?id=410827&cat=nt

May 13, 2009 19:09 PM

Chikungunya Spreads In Kedah

ALOR SETAR, May 13 (Bernama) -- The Chikungunya viral disease detected in the Pokok Sena and Pendang districts of Kedah has spread to two more districts -- Kota Setar and Padang Terap, according to Kedah Director of Health Datuk Dr Hasnah Ismail.

She said the health department had detected two cases in Kampung Baru in the Kota Setar district and several cases in Kampung Baru Naka, Kampung Padang Kerasak, Kampung Tong Plu, Kampung Banggol Pong, Kampung Padang Setol and Kampung Malau in the Padang Terap district.

"Health teams are carrying out spraying to control the spread of the vector-borne disease," she said in a statement.

Dr Hasnah appealed for the cooperation of the people in taking preventive measures by keeping their surroundings clean and getting rid of vessels in the open which could trap water and allow mosquitoes to breed.

She advised farmers and rubber tappers to wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants to prevent bites by mosquitoes, carrier of the virus which causes the disease.

-- BERNAMA

 

[Shiloh]

Re: Malaysia: Dengue Fever/Chikungunya cases

Source: http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v5/newsgeneral.php?id=411087

May 14, 2009 19:13 PM

Five More Die Of Dengue Fever

KUALA LUMPUR, May 14 (Bernama) -- Five deaths due to dengue fever were recorded in the week ending May 9, raising to 48 the number of people who have died of the disease so far this year.

Director General of Health Tan Sri Dr Mohd Ismail Merican said there was also a rise in the number of dengue fever cases in the country during that week, to 874 from 870 in the previous week, ending May 2.

"The number of cumulative cases so far this year is 19,275 compared to 13,891 with 33 deaths in the same period last year," he said in a statement Thursday.

He said seven states recorded an increase in the number of cases so far this year, with Kedah registering nine, Kelantan eight, Johor 23, Penang 22, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya 20, Melaka three and Perak 13.

Up to May 9, sixty-three hotspots were reported, with 57 of the localities in Selangor, four in Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya and the rest in Johor, he said.

"The people in these localities are advised to keep their houses and surroundings clean and destroy breeding places of the Aedes mosquito, carrier of the dengue virus," he said.

Dr Mohd Ismail said 579 compound fines totalling RM68,850 were imposed and 201 clean-up notices were issued nationwide in the week ending May 9 to owners of premises found to harbour Aedes breeding places and potential breeding places.

He said 71 per cent of the houses and shops inspected were found to harbour Aedes breeding places, as well as 19 per cent of factories, 17 per cent of burial grounds and road dividers, and 14 per cent of construction sites.

"This shows that a large number of people are not yet sensitive to the danger of Aedes breeding places in their houses and surroundings.

"The gotong-royong (self-help) activities have not achieved their target because only 70 per cent of the targeted 76 activities could be undertaken last week," he said.

On Chikungunya, Dr Mohd Ismail said 96 cases were reported for the week ending May 9 compared to 71 in the previous week.

"Five states recorded a rise in the number of cases, namely Kedah, Penang, Selangor, Kuala Lumpur-Putrajaya and Sarawak," he said.

He said the number of cumulative cases of Chikungunya up to May 9 was 1,609. No deaths had been reported.

-- BERNAMA

 

[kiwibird]

Re: Malaysia: Dengue Fever/Chikungunya cases

http://www.themalaysianinsider.com.my/index.php/malaysia/16919-dengue-kills-12-people-in-25-days
Monday May 18 2009
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Dengue kills 12 people in 25 days

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 27 ? Twelve people have died of dengue fever in Malaysia between Jan 1 and 25, the Health Ministry said on Monday.

A total of 4,221 cases of dengue fever had been reported. This is almost double the 2,103 cases with five deaths during the corresponding period last year.

Selangor recorded the highest number of cases with 1,727 cases and two deaths, followed by Kuala Lumpur with 307 cases.

Malaysian government has declared war on Malaysia?s enemy No.1, the aedes mosquito, the carrier of the dengue fever.

Health Minister Liow Tiong Lai has appealed to community leaders and local authorities to conduct cooperation to clean up the environment.

The ministry was discovering more unusual symptoms in the more severe cases category, Health Ministry Director-General Ismail Merican said.

Usually in severe dengue cases, patients would suffer from bleeding and low blood platelet count, he said.

However, there were cases where the brain was affected and people can come down with epileptic attacks, jaundice, hepatitis and even kidney or liver failure, he said.

?It is because of these unusual symptoms that some diagnosis were made late,? Ismail added. ? Xinhua News Agency

 

[kiwibird]

Re: Malaysia: Dengue Fever/Chikungunya cases

From post #37
http://www.flutrackers.com/forum/showthread.php?t=70434&page=2
...

The preceding Indonesia cluster was quite similar. The fatality of the index case was mis-diagnosed as dengue fever and the death was quickly followed by an H5N1 confirmed death in a sibling. That cluster was picked up by wire services and when director general of communicable diseases, Nyoman Kandun, was specifically asked about the cluster, the incorrect dengue fever diagnosis was used to deny the cluster, and this denial was accepted and supported by the same commentator cited above.

...

 

[Shiloh]

Re: Malaysia: Dengue Fever/Chikungunya cases

Source: http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v5/newsgeneral.php?id=413062

May 22, 2009 21:17 PM
Four Deaths Due To Dengue Last Week

PUTRAJAYA, May 22 (Bernama) -- A total of 912 dengue cases and four death were reported during the Week 19 of this year (May 10 to 16), which is an increase of 38 cases compared to the 874 reported the previous week.

Health Director-General Tan Sri Dr Mohd Ismail Merican said dengue cases were on an upward trend Week 17, with nine states recording an increase in the number of cases of dengue.

He said the states were Perlis (200 per cent), Pahang (60), Sabah (47), Sarawak (32), Selangor (18), Melaka (14), Kedah (11), Negeri Sembilan (11) and Terengganu (6).

"The accumulated number of cases this year is 20,187 with 52 deaths, compared to 14,840 cases and 33 deaths for the same period last year," he said in a statement here Friday.

Ismail said there was also a steep increase in Chikungunya cases in the same week, with 276 cases reported compared to only 96 cases the previous week.

He said Kedah recorded the highest increase that week, with a total of 199 cases.

"Besides Kedah, other states with increased number of cases are Perak with 11 cases, Johor (4) and Terengganu (4).

"The total number of Chikungunya cases until May 16 is 1,944 cases, but no deaths were reported," he said.

He said follwing the increase in dengue and Chikungunya cases, the ministry had directed the Kedah Health Department to issue an alert to all District Health Offices to monitor Chikugunya cases.

"Government and private clinics are also asked to inform the nearest health office of any cases. The community is reminded to practice preventive measures by ensuring there are no Aedes mosquitoes breeding in their homes," he added.

-- BERNAMA

 

[Shiloh]

Re: Malaysia: Dengue Fever/Chikungunya cases

Source: http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Saturday/National/2564216/Article/index_html

2009/05/23
Liow wants the people to help tackle dengue
By Annie Freeda Cruezanniefc@nst.com.my
Email to friend Email to Friend

KUALA LUMPUR: Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai is at his wits' end on how to check the spread of dengue which has claimed 52 lives and infected 20,187 people in the first five months of the year.
Last year during the same period, only 14,840 people were infected and the death toll was 33.

Liow said: "I need to go on the NSTLive online chat again to let the public know how serious the situation is."

Having to handle the present Influenza A (H1N1) and H5N1 viruses, the ministry is worried that the Aedes mosquito is going to infect and kill more Malaysians than the viruses.

Selangor topped the list with 10,629 cases and 38 deaths followed by Federal Territory and Putrajaya (1,770 cases and six deaths), Perak (1,646), Johor (1,184 cases two deaths), Penang (1,211), Sarawak (717), Kelantan (580), Terengganu (486), Sabah (416 cases and one death), Kedah (408), Negri Sembilan (394 cases and four deaths), Pahang (373 cases and one death), Malacca (266), Perlis (89), and Labuan (18).

Director-General of Health Tan Sri Dr Ismail Merican said last week 912 dengue cases with four deaths were reported, compared with only 874 cases the previous week.

"We see an increase in dengue cases from the 17th week of the year and some of the states showing a rise in cases are Perlis, Pahang, Sabah, Sarawak, Selangor, Malacca, Kedah, Negri Sembilan and Terengganu," he said.

The ministry has also identified 55 dengue hotspots with 50 of them being in Selangor.

"Residential places and shophouses are still the main areas found positive for Aedes breeding besides graveyards, construction sites, factories and idle land," said Dr Ismail.

He said the public must take the dengue situation in the country seriously and adhere to keeping their surroundings free from Aedes breeding grounds.

To combat the menace, the ministry had carried out 978 gotong-royong campaigns nationwide.

Last week the ministry slapped 366 compound fines amounting to RM59,000 and issued 277 clean-up notices.

As for chikungunya, Dr Ismail said from January to May 16, a total of 1,944 cases had been reported with no death.

Kedah has been placed on alert by the ministry following the high number of dengue and chikungunya cases in the state since last week.

Later, in Kota Baru, Liow said the Health Ministry was studying an incentive package to woo specialists and doctors from the private sector to join the public sector,

He said as specialists and doctors prefer to work in the private sector, government hospitals and clinics were experiencing a shortage of medical officers.

 

[Shiloh]

Re: Malaysia: Dengue Fever/Chikungunya cases

Source: http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v5/newsindex.php?id=414396

May 28, 2009 23:32 PM

Rise In Chikungunya But Drop In Dengue Cases

KUALA LUMPUR, May 28 (Bernama)-- Chikungunya cases rose 72 percent while dengue fever cases dropped 14 percent over the past week (May 17-23).

Director-general of health Tan Sri Dr Mohd Ismail Merican said Chikungunya cases rose from 276 the previous week to 475.

"Much of this was due to the Chikungunya epidemic in Kedah contributed 88 percent of total cases reported," he said in a statement Thursday.

There were 2,419 Chikungunya cases up to May 23 with no deaths.

On dengue, Dr Mohd Ismail said there were 787 cases compared to 912 the previous week.

Five states recorded a rise in cases led by Perlis (50%), Melaka (19%), Perak and Terengganu (5%) and Kuala Lumpur dan Putrajaya (1%).

He said the rise in dengue deaths this year was worrying adding they could be averted if patients were given prompt treatment.

"Doctors should refer patients with fever, muscle ache, headache and rashes to hospital quickly," he said.

More information is available on the Health Ministry website http://www.moh.gov.my.

-- BERNAMA

 

[hornblower]

Malaysia - losing the war on dengue

Malaysia - losing the war on dengue

http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Thursday/Frontpage/20090611075130/Article/index_html

Losing the war against dengue
2009/06/11

?We declared war against dengue in February. It looks like we are losing.?

Director-general of Health Tan Sri Dr Ismail Merican painted this grim picture when he revealed that 57 people had died of dengue between January and June 6 and warned that more would die from the disease.

Dr Ismail did not mince his words, blaming doctors in private clinics and hospitals for the high death toll.

He said the majority of those who died could have been saved if doctors had known what to do.

Dr Ismail said 35 of those who died had sought treatment at private clinics or hospitals early, but doctors there did not carry out proper tests or follow-ups, leading to their deaths.

?In fact, 30 per cent of those who died only came to the government hospitals when they became very ill.?

Dr Ismail warned that action would be taken against private doctors, clinics and hospitals if they did not report suspected dengue cases.

He said of the 22,426 cases reported, only nine per cent were notified by private practitioners.

Dr Ismail said without notification, health authorities could not take action, such as fogging, to prevent more dengue cases.

He told a meeting of state health directors, representatives from relevant

agencies and bodies, the Malaysian Medical Association and Association of Private Hospitals Malaysia yesterday that everyone must do their part to ensure the disease was defeated.

The meeting also discussed ways to get the community involved in the fight against dengue