PUTATAN: Kampung Sri Pandan here was selected by the Health Ministry for a national community cleanup programme (Program Gotong Royong Perangi Aedes) targeted at eradicating the virulent mosquito.
According to Sabah Health Exco, Datuk Ir. Shahelmey Yahya, the area recorded 10 more cases this year compared to the same period in 2021.
Shahelmey, who is also Sabah Minister of Community Development and People’s Well-Being, said the programme was carried out simultaneously nationwide.
“The dengue situation in this particular area is worrying while the virus remains a threat to lives across Sabah.
“We hope that through this effort, more will be aware of the dangers of dengue. Besides destroying the aedes breeding sites, we also get to clean the place up,” he said when officiating at the event.
Aedes aegypti mosquitoes are resilient in nature. Their eggs can survive drying out for up to eight months and hatch when in contact with water.
They only need a small amount of water to lay eggs. Bowls, cups, fountains, tires, barrels, vases, and any other container storing water make a great “nursery”.
The Sabah Health Department, meanwhile, deemed the dengue situation in Tawau, Lahad Datu and Tuaran districts as “out of control”.
In a statement, it said Sabah this year recorded two deaths with cumulative 1,564 cases. Kota Kinabalu ranked the highest with 389 cases, followed by Sandakan (276) and Tawau (184).
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