Dengue Claims Sixth Victim In Penang

PENANG, Oct 3 (Bernama)-- A petty trader from Persiaran Mayang Pasir, Bukit Gedung in the south west district became the sixth victim of the dengue outbreak in the state.
State Committee on Health, Welfare and Caring Society P. Subbaiyah said the victim, Mohd Sarip Ceramal Basir, 44, died at about 12.10am at the Penang Hospital's intensive care unit.
Speaking to reporters after launching the aerosol spraying campaign for public transportation here Monday, Subbaiyah said the victim was admitted in the hospital on Saturday by his family members after he was suspected of high fever.
His body was brought back by his family in Balik Pulau Monday morning and he is expected to be buried at the Muslim cemetery in Jalan Permatang Pasir about 3 pm Monday.
To date, the district still has the highest number of dengue cases with three deaths (excluding today's case) in August and September.
Meanwhile, Subbaiyah said the aerosol spraying campaign was one of the proactive measures undertaken by the state government together with the state Health Department to fight dengue.
He said from January to September, 78 students were confirmed cases, out of 872 suspected with dengue in the state.
"Besides, the state government is also intensifying spraying work in areas identified with dengue including distributing leaflets on ways to prevent dengue through the Communication For Behavioural Impact (COMBI) programme which can raise the cleanliness level as well as increase the public awareness," he said.
Last Thursday, a police constable from Teluk Kumbar died of dengue while a week earlier a young pregnant mother, also from the fishing village died of the fever.
Three weeks ago, two deaths due to dengue were reported in the state, that is a 46-year old woman from Bukit Gelugor and a 21-year old man from Pantai Jerejak, with one death reported early this year.