Dengue alert, Selangor folk asked to cooperate

Star: SHAH ALAM: Selangor residents have been told to join the state government’s efforts to eradicate mosquito breeding grounds following a warning by the state Health Department of a possible rise in dengue cases over the coming weeks.
State Health, Plantation Workers and Caring Government Committee chairman Dr Xavier Jeyakumar said the warning was issued in view of the current wet weather which has created ideal conditions for mosquitoes to breed.
“We are calling on all residents to take a proactive approach in ensuring the safety of their families and to use 10mins of their time per week to clean up the drains and other possible mosquito breeding grounds in and around their houses,” he told a press conference after attending the weekly state executive council meeting here Wednesday.
He said the state government would also direct all local authorities and district health department offices to start fogging exercises in residential areas.
Dr Jeyakumar also called on residents not to lock their homes and walk away when those conducting fogging in their areas visited their houses.
“We have had complaints in the past of residents walking out of their homes when fogging was done and so the insides of their homes could not be fogged to get rid of mosquitoes.
“We assure residents that the oil-based fogging chemical is only used outdoors and the chemical used inside the homes is water based and safe,” he said.
Dr Jeyakumar said the state government decided to issue an early warning as there had already been 39 dengue-related deaths in Selangor this year, with most coming from the more urban neighbourhoods like Petaling Jaya, Subang Jaya and Ampang.