Kajang, Jan 25 – Beginning this week, the health ministry will take drastic measures to stem the spread of dengue when it introduces three new methods, said minister, Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam.
He said the methods comprise the spraying of Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) spaces, temephos spraying (Abate 500E) and autocidal trap to trap and kill the mosquito larva and mosquitoes.
He said the methods would initially be used in the Petaling district of Selangor.
“Last year, Petaling district recorded the highest number of dengue cases, accounting for 22 per cent of the total 23,852 cases in Selangor, and 55 per cent of the 43,346 cases nationwide.”
Dr Subramaniam said this at a media conference after visiting a dengue ‘hotspot’ in the vicinity of the Kajang main market here today.
He said 6,155 dengue cases were reported nationwide from Jan 1-22, this year, involving 10 deaths.
This was an increase of 4,363 cases or 243 per cent as compared to only 1,792 cases for the same period last year, at five deaths.
Selangor reported 3,168 cases, accounting for 51 per cent of the total cases nationwide during the same period, with Hulu Langat district reporting 936 cases, including two deaths or 15 per cent of cases in the state.
Meanwhile, Dr Subramaniam, who is also MIC deputy president, declined to comment on newly-appointed MIC treasurer-general Datuk R. Ramanan, who was ordered by the High Court yesterday to return RM5.5 million to psychiatrist Tan Sri Dr M. Mahadevan.
“The issue depends on party president Datuk Seri G. Palanivel to make a decision,” he said.
– Bernama
