Dengue cases soar by over 70% in KL

IN just one week, Kuala Lumpur has seen a surge in dengue cases, with 183 cases reported from Jan 28 to Feb 3.

This brings the total to 1,851 cases in the city, compared to 1,071 during the same period in 2023 — an increase of 780 cases or 72.8%.

Amid this spike, two deaths have been attributed to dengue fever complications.

Additionally, 146 active outbreaks of dengue fever were reported in the city, involving 22 hotspots, during that period (See graphic).

The highest number of dengue cases by parliamentary constituency is in Seputeh (250), followed by Bandar Tun Razak (240) and Cheras (209).

A DBKL contractor fogging in a housing estate.

A spokesperson from Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) said the hotspots were mostly construction sites, commercial areas and abandoned houses in addition to dense housing estates.“Roof gutters, water tanks, plastic tubs, old tyres, flower pots, small containers and drains – where there is stagnant water – are perfect for Aedes mosquitoes to lay eggs (see graphic).

“We find that many residents are not aware just how easy it is for there to be areas in their homes where mosquitoes can breed,” the spokesperson said.

“There is a high chance that mosquitoes were breeding at the homes or surrounding areas of those who contracted dengue.”

DBKL, through its Health and Environment Department, has been carrying out various dengue control-and-prevention activities such as destroying breeding sites, applying larvicide, eliminating elements that could facilitate mosquito breeding, fogging, ultra-low volume fogging (ULV), and conducting routine inspections at schools and construction sites.

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“We inspected over 16,000 potential breeding sites and found 885 items and 277 premises positive for Aedes larvae,” the spokesperson said.

Of the 55 schools inspected, 23 were positive for Aedes larvae, with 18 containers found positive.

DBKL also dispatched its health department’s Special Action Unit to inspect active construction sites in Kuala Lumpur.

Of the 18 construction sites that were inspected, 15 were identified as mosquito breeding grounds and one site closed down.

Additionally, DBKL, in collaboration with the Federal Territory Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya Health Department, conducts routine risk assessments in high-risk outbreak areas to identify causes and risks of prolonged dengue fever transmission.

A DBKL health department officer checking a plastic container with stagnant water for Aedes larvae.

This risk assessment activity, known as Dengue Outbreak Risk Assessment (Dora), has been conducted seven times since the beginning of this year.

Places where Dora has been carried out include the Sri Penara apartment, Warisan City View Phase 2, Ixora Apartment, Cengal Condominium, Pelangi Indah Condominium, Taman Desa, Taman Desa Cheras A (Jalan 1/154D to 5/154D), and Miharja Flats Phase 2B.

DBKL also organises programmes with residents and local communities to collectively combat the spread of dengue.

Among the activities organised are community clean-up drives, health talks, Community Behavioural Impact (Combi) events, and distribution of informational materials.

To date, 84 community clean-up activities have been conducted with communities around Kuala Lumpur since last year.

“We believe that eradicating dengue in Kuala Lumpur can be achieved with the cooperation of all parties in ensuring that residential and surrounding areas are clean and free from stagnant water,” said the spokesperson.

“Mosquitoes mostly breed in containers like plastic containers, flower pots and water storage drums.

“Residents must be extra vigilant by actively eliminating elements in their environment that could potentially contain stagnant water.

“They need to also store water and dispose of waste responsibly.”

A banner in Kuala Lumpur warning people of a dengue outbreak.

De Tropicana Condominium located in Kuchai Entrepreneurs Park, Seputeh, has been identified as a dengue hotspot by DBKL, following the confirmation of 16 dengue cases.

Resident Banie Chin reported that the local authority swiftly dispatched a team to the condominium and DBKL’s inspection had found stagnant water in potted plants, pet water bowls and plastic containers.

“I urge everyone to educate themselves on dengue-prevention measures. It’s simply a matter of implementing improved water storage practices,” he said.

Resident Mala Devi, concurred with Chin, adding that she took the initiative to sweep the floor where her unit was located to ensure the area was clear of rubbish and items that could potentially contain stagnant water.

“We had water shortage issues in the past, and there were water storage containers like plastic bottles and pots that had been used for long periods but these have been removed.”

A DBKL contractor spraying larvicide to a drain.