Materia Medica Malaysiana

Dengue Cases In Johor Up 37 Per Cent In First Week

JOHOR BAHARU, Jan 18 (Bernama) -- Dengue cases in Johor in the first week of the year showed a 37 per cent increase compared to the same period last year, state Health Department (Public Health) Deputy Director Dr Daud Abdul Rahim said Tuesday.
During the first seven days, 71 cases of dengue fever and three cases of haemorrhagic dengue fever which did not lead to death were reported against 22 cases of dengue fever and six haemorrhagic dengue fever cases that were not fatal in the corresponding period last year, he said.
Johor Baharu district reported the highest number of cases with 45, most of them in Taman Megah Ria and Bandar Baru UDA, followed by Kluang (13), Kota Tinggi (6), Batu Pahat (5), Muar (3), Segamat and Pontian (one each).
"This is caused by the attitude of residents who do not care about the condition of places that are potential aedes breeding grounds which include their homes and surrounding areas," he said.
Last year 3,056 dengue cases were reported in Johor compared to 3,211 cases in 2003, marking a 4.8 per cent decrease.