Fogging and screening to prevent JE outbreak

Star: TANAH MERAH: Health authorities are screening villagers in areas identified as at high risk of catching the Japanese Encephalitis (JE) virus.
They are also fogging the areas every night to kill the culex tritaeniorhynchus carrier mosquitoes.
The health task force, which includes members from the Veterinary Services Department and wildlife rangers, are doing this to prevent an outbreak.
To date, four villagers in the district have been hospitalised for suspected JE while Siti Mardiana Mohd Romli, 13, died on Thursday because of suspected JE complications.
Noorhayati Awang, 27, was confirmed to be infected with the deadly virus while tests have yet to be completed for the other three, state health department director Datuk Dr Ahmad Razin Ahmad Maher told reporters during an inspection here yesterday.
“There is no need for panic,” he said, adding that the public must ensure cleanliness of their houses and premises so that the mosquitoes did not get a chance to breed.
Siti Mardiana from Kampung Air Kerala, Batang Begedik in Gual Ipoh passed away last Thursday while her father Mohd Romli Mohd Zaid, 34, and younger brother Mohd Awi, five, were hospitalised on Monday after complaining of fever and body aches.
Nasnira Akmar Hussin, 13, from Kampung Bukit Pauh was the other person warded for suspected JE.
Dr Ahmad Razin also said that from today, all press statements concerning JE in Kelantan would be issued by the Health Ministry based in Kuala Lumpur.
State Veterinary Services Department director Dr Idris Kadir said officers had taken blood samples from various animals in the vicinity and were awaiting results.
There are no pig farms here so authorities need to widen their search to find the host.
State Wildlife and National Parks Department director Pazil Abdul Patah said the operation to hunt down wild boars, which were suspected of being host carriers of JE, was discussed.