Materia Medica Malaysiana

Nonchalance over dengue threat in Sandakan

Despite frequent reminders and talks on the dangers of dengue fever, the people generally are often nonchalant over the looming health threat.
District Health Officer, Dr G Navindran, said this was evident in many housing estates and kampungs in the district where the people had not bothered to clear stagnant water in clogged drains around their houses, particularly in the back yard.
"By now, they should have heeded Government reminders to clear rubbish and drains as a preventive measure against being turned into breeding grounds for the aedes mosquito before the situation gets out of control," he said.
"While the Government provides several health programmes, including spot checks on suspected areas and fogging, the biggest problem remains in public apathy towards health and general cleanliness," he added.
Dr Navindran hoped that frequent reports of dengue fever outbreaks in various parts of Malaysia, including Sandakan, could instil a high sense of awareness on the importance of public cleanliness in the municipality.