SANDAKAN: Sandakan recorded a total of 1,416 dengue cases as of the 42nd epidemiological week.
Sandakan Health Officer Dr Johari Awang Besar said it was a very sharp increase of 1,600 per cent compared to 82 cases last year.
He said Sandakan ranks first in dengue cases in Sabah and recorded six dengue deaths to date, involving five youths and one adult.
One of the cases occurred in the slums of Kg Pening Lalat and the water village of Kg Tinosa 2 which recorded the first two deaths last April involving children aged seven and 10.
Currently, there are 52 outbreaks, the highest in history in this district since many years ago when “Ops Mega Denggi” was carried out.
“Now in an effort to deal with dengue cases in Sandakan, we are implementing Mega Ops from October 19 to November 16.
“The Sandakan Health Office is grateful for the help of 12 teams from the districts of Kunak, Beluran, Tongod, Pitas, Tambunan and other districts who joined the 30 fog response teams and checked the larvae in the residences identified as having active outbreaks involved.”
He said this when met at the Ops Mega Denggi and Fogging operation at PPR Taman Harmoni here, Tuesday.
Among focus areas for fogging include Kg Tinosa 2 which recorded continuously high cases (44) for three months.
Taman Mawar 1 also recorded 40 cases for nearly three months, while the Taman Mesra PPR also recorded 20 cases previously.
Dr Johari said the dengue epidemic has been occurring non-stop since April, which is attributed to the weather and intermittent rain that interferes with effort to conduct dengue control activities.
He added that stagnant waters are also to blame as it is a breeding ground for mosquitoes, with its larvae being able to live for up to nine months.
“We call on the residents to help us in ensuring that there are no stagnant waters, garbage is cleared and the area around the house is cleaned so that these mosquitoes cannot breed,” he said.
He said the residents’ cooperation is important so that efforts to deal with dengue in this district can be carried out in the best way.
“For those with a fever or symptoms, immediately get checked out at a nearby clinic or hospital for further treatment,” he added.
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