Big jump in dengue cases

DENGUE cases have increased to almost threefold in the Subang Jaya municipality this year.

There were 2,547 up to mid-December this year, compared to 669 cases reported in 2012.

Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ) Health Department director Dr Roslan Mohamed Hussin said there has been a spike in dengue outbreaks in the region. “In Singapore, there is a 400% increase,” he said.

The dengue cases resulted in three deaths this year. There were no deaths reported last year while there were seven deaths in 2010.

Victims were from Serdang Perdana, Pangsapuri Melor in Puchong Prima and Pangsapuri Sri Mas in Taman Pinggiran Putra.

The council has identified six hotspot areas namely PJS 9 (Lagoon Perdana), Batu 13 Kampung Sri Aman (Lorong Aman 1), Taman Puchong Prima, Taman Puchong Utama 2, Pusat Bandar Puchong (Jalan Wawasan 2) and Pusat Bandar Puchong 5 (Sri Jati Apartment).

MPSJ deputy president Abdullah Marjunid said high-rise buildings are among high-risk areas for dengue outbreaks due to their density.

Abdullah said a one-stop coordination centre to combat dengue was set up in November, headed by the state Health Department.

“The department will assist in terms of logistics and deploy manpower from other districts or states.”

An anti-Aedes operation was held on Dec 17 at the Lagoon Perdana apartment in Bandar Sunway.

“We impose a RM500 compound per breeding spot.

“We also issue a stop-work order if a construction site is found to be a breeding spot three times or more,” said Abdullah.

The council has also initiated the Toxorhynchites mosquito (toxo) programme in 2011.

Also known as “elephant mosquitoes”, they consume other mosquito larvae, including theAedes, at the larval stage.

The pilot project was conducted in Kampung Sri Aman, Puchong.

Due to encouraging results, MPSJ Sri Tanjung Apartments in Puchong was chosen on May 16.

The mosquitoes were released in the area following 15 reported cases of dengue between January and June this year — the highest number in the Kinrara area.