Zero dengue goal not impossible

Star: It is not impossible to achieve zero dengue cases.
Health Ministry parliamentary secretary Datuk Lee Kah Choon said if everyone played their role in ensuring their surroundings were free from aedes mosquito breeding grounds, the disease could be eradicated.
“We appreciate the efforts of the corporate bodies and non-government organisations in organising anti-dengue campaigns and other awareness programmes.
“We hope they will continue to cooperate with the health authorities in combating the dengue menace,” he said after opening an anti-dengue campaign at Jelutong market here yesterday.
Lions Club George Town and Penang Municipal Council organised the event with sponsorship from Fumakilla (M) Bhd. Also present was State Health, Welfare and Caring Society Committee chairman P.K. Subbaiyah.
Although the number of cases had dropped in the past week, Lee said gotong royong activities and clean-up efforts must continue.
“Controlling dengue is an ongoing effort. We must take action all year round to keep the outbreak in check,” he said.
Lee said the 186 dengue cases recorded in the country last week was “still high”.
He lauded the Lions Club for planning similar campaigns at other markets including the ones at Batu Lanchang, Gelugor and Bayan Baru.
“It is crucial to keep the environment clean to contain the outbreak and other communicable diseases,” he said.
Lee said the three patients down with dengue were still warded at the Penang Hospital’s intensive care unit. Penang has recorded six dengue-related deaths so far.