Chua: Take dengue threat seriously

Star: While state governments and non-governmental organisations are cooperating in anti-dengue initiatives, it is public apathy that is worrying the authorities.
Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said the biggest task was to get the people to take the dengue scourge seriously.
“Please don’t point your finger at anyone if your own house is dirty.
“The Government cannot possibly check every house to ensure that there is no aedes mosquito,” he said.
Dr Chua said he was disappointed with reports that he criticised Penang Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon over the dengue outbreak in the state.
“We sympathise with the people of Penang because the state is badly hit.
“I hope the media will work with us instead of pitting leaders in a fight and creating unnecessary conflicts,” he said, adding that he had not criticised Dr Koh.
In Penang, Dr Koh said he did not blame anyone for the current dengue situation in the state.
“Leaders in the state government and I have not criticised or blamed the Health Ministry.
“The state Health Department had also reacted early to address the dengue threat,” he said.
Dr Koh urged the media not to create misunderstandings that could affect cooperation among agencies in combating the menace.
“The issue is about dengue and the focus should be that,” he said.
The Seberang Prai Municipal Council has sent out an alert on dengue.
“Preventive measures are already in place,” its secretary Zainol Abidin Md Noh said.
The council can be contacted at its hotline at 04-3324 444 for any enquiries.