KUALA TERENGGANU: Deaths by dengue in Terengganu have continued to increase with the latest case being a 49-year-old woman from Hiliran Binjai. She became the state’s 19th dengue fatality this year.
Of the fatalities recorded, four deaths were due to dengue hemorrhagic fever.
State Health Department Dr Mohammad Omar said the latest victim suffered from dengue hemorrhagic and passed away while undergoing treatments at the Sultanah Nur Zahirah Hospital.
He said the victim died on Nov 4.
Mohammad said dengue hemorrhagic fever claimed three other lives, a 40-year-old man from Kubang Buyong, Kuala Terengganu, a 30-year-old man from Bukit Besi, Dungun and the youngest victim, a five-year-old boy from Kampung Gelugor, Kemaman.
He said the 19 dengue deaths have been recorded until Tuesday, compared to three deaths recorded in the corresponding period last year.
Mohammad said a total of 1,935 dengue cases have been reported throughout the state as of yesterday.
“Kuala Terengganu recorded the highest number of incident with 1,161 cases, followed by Kuala Nerus with 205 cases, Marang with 178 cases, Dungun 127 cases, Kemaman (105 cases), Besut ( 88 cases), Hulu Terengganu (47 cases) and Setiu (24 cases),” he said.
Mohammad also pointed out that an investigation conducted by the department has revealed that flooding is not the main cause of increasing dengue cases.
“The state experienced the largest outbreak of dengue after March this year and (this) showed that flooding is not the major factor of dengue,” he said today.
He added that people should continue to destroy any Aedes breeding grounds without waiting for any directive from authorities as cleanliness of the house compound is one of the main factors in avoiding the spread of infected mosquitoes.
“The public are advised to maintain cleanliness inside and outside their homes,” he stressed.
© New Straits Ti
