Sixteen died this year due to dengue

Star: PENANG: The Health Ministry has called on the public to report on their neighbours who harbour mosquitoes as 16 people have died due to dengue this year.
Health Ministry parliamentary secretary Datuk Lee Kah Choon said public tip offs on potential mosquito breeding grounds were crucial to help minimise risk of dengue outbreak in neighbourhoods, adding that 13 of dengue-related deaths were recorded in Selangor.
Kuala Lumpur, Negeri Sembilan and Johor had each recorded one dengue-related death, he added.
"Our intention is not to punish errant neighbours. We need to create awareness on the importance of cleanliness to help control the deadly outbreak," he said.
Lee said this after presenting aerosol cans and abate to members of the Penang Schoolbus Association at Batu Lanchang Market here yesterday.
Lee said a total of 6,458 suspected dengue cases were recorded nationwide during the first five weeks of the year, adding that about 50% of the cases were in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur.
"We have deployed 100 additional (health department) staff from neighbouring states to help contain the outbreak in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur.
"We carry out fogging within 24 hours after dengue cases are traced in an area. We also distribute abates in affected areas to kill the mosquitoes larvae," he said.
He added the aedes mosquitoes breed in clear stagnant waters, including waters in flower pots and exposed containers.
Vacant land, children's playgrounds, houses and shops topped the list of mosquito breeding grounds, he said.
Lee said all sectors must work together to help contain the outbreak to help clear the country's image, especially as this year is Visit Malaysia 2007.
"We do not want the foreigners to have a lasting negative image about our country, as this will affect the tourism industry," he said.
Lee also called on school bus drivers to spray the school buses with mosquito repellents before fetching children during dawn and dusk.
"Peak feeding time for mosquitoes are during dawn and dusk. We need to protect the schoolchildren from mosquito bites as they board school buses either during dawn (for those going to morning school) or dusk (for those returning from afternoon school)," he said.