Dengue Outbreak To Persist Till Year-End - Dr Chua

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 2 (Bernama) -- The dengue outbreak in several states is expected to persist for another two to three months before the situation stabilises, Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said Sunday.
He said the number of dengue cases are expected to increase especially in critical states like Penang, Selangor and Kuala Lumpur.
"This is because the people panic and when they have fever, they straight away suspect it is dengue. Besides, doctors also over diagnose, but normally doctors are more careful," he told reporters after launching the "Wear It Pink Walk For Life" event in conjunction with the International Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Dr Chua said six medical teams comprising five to six doctors have been sent to Penang to help contain the critical dengue outbreak in the state.
He said the move was part of the ministry's strategy to send doctors from dengue-free states to the affected states in stages which would involve 225 doctors.
Dr Chua said despite a surge of 750 cases last week, it did not mean the preventive measures taken by the government were ineffective.
He said the number of dengue cases is expected to rise next week.
He said reports of rising deaths due to dengue were inaccurate as they were based on clinical diagnosis.
"After the blood test results are out, it is found the deaths are not due to dengue," he said.
He, however, advised the public to seek immediate treatment if they had prolonged fever for more than two days as a delay in seeking treatment could be fatal.
On bird flu epidemic in Indonesia, Dr Chua said his ministry had not receive any request for assistance.