Dengue: Take preventive measures during monsoon season, says Sabah Health Dept

KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Health Department is reminding the public to take preventive measures to combat dengue following more rainfalls predicted this month and the next with the monsoon season.

Among the steps are detecting and getting rid of hot spots around their premises, which can be carried out in 10 minutes every week, as well as conducting gotong-royong (community clean up) at their residential area, said state health director Datuk Dr Asits Sanna.

“The Meteorological Department of Malaysia has predicted rainfall in line with the north-east monsoon period that runs from January to February this year.

“Besides the preventive measures mentioned, civilians are urged to protect themselves from mosquito bites using repellants and aerosol sprays when mosquitos are active – which is early morning (5-7am) and evening (5-7pm).

“They should also seek early treatment at any health facilities if they suffer from dengue symptoms like fever, joint pains, severe headache and pain behind the eyes,” he said in a statement on Friday (Dec 5).

He also urged the public to get the latest information via the iDengue app or visit the website https://idengue.mysa.gov.my/.

The statement was issued after an 18-year-old teenage boy from Tuaran died of dengue complications recently on Dec 28.

While he suffered from vomiting and heartburn during the first hospital visit on Dec 25, there was no mention of other dengue-related symptoms. The teen returned to the Tuaran district hospital on Dec 28 with more severe symptoms and was diagnosed with dengue before being referred to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) in the state capital on the same day.

Unfortunately, he succumbed to his condition and passed away at the Intensive Care Unit in QEH the next day.

According to Dr Asits, as of the end of last year’s statistics, a 1.8% decrease in dengue cases was reported, with 6,983 cases in 2023 compared to 7,110 cases in 2022.

“During that period, Sabah Health Department also registered 11 deaths due to dengue (0.16%), involving eight districts, namely three cases from Sandakan, two from Kunak and one death each from Papar, Semporna, Kudat, Nabawan, Putatan and Tuaran districts.

“This is a 10% increase compared to the previous year, with 10 deaths recorded due to dengue complications,” he added.