Perak, has been fighting a chikungunya outbreak since October 2020. In the latest update, Exco Health, Consumer Affairs, National Integration, and Perak Human Resource, A Sivanesan, announced that the number of chikungunya cases decreased during week 50 by 31 cases compared to the previous week’s 36 cases.
Sivanesan attributed the decline to the continued efforts of the Perak Health Department, local authorities, and other agencies to control mosquito breeding grounds in waste disposal areas.
He further stated that a meeting was held on Tuesday with the Department of Health and several other agencies to ensure that the chikungunya cases in the state were controlled.
The local authorities have also issued a compound to individuals and premises that dispose of waste in inappropriate places. Although no death has been recorded in the case of chikungunya compared to dengue cases, Sivanesan stressed that serious attention should be given to preventing any untoward incidents.
The outbreak of chikungunya in Perak was classified as serious, with 71 cases recorded in three areas since October 18. The highest rate of chikungunya was in Batang Padang/Muallim.
To combat this, the Health Department has provided two full-time health officials to monitor the waste disposal area. Within the next two weeks, the chikungunya rate is expected to decline.
The Pejabat Penghulu Mukim Bidor has also taken the initiative together with the Bidor Special Action Unit (UTKMB) to conduct a public patrol to conduct a cleanliness campaign.
The patrol involves 15 UTKMB volunteers using three four-wheel-drive vehicles and two cars, as well as two motorcycles assigned to distribute the dengue and chikungunya awareness leaflets.
This campaign aims to raise awareness among the people of the Bidor area to reduce the dengue and chikungunya outbreaks.
In conclusion, the efforts of the Perak Health Department, local authorities, and other agencies to control mosquito breeding grounds in waste disposal areas have led to a decrease in the number of chikungunya cases in the state.
However, it is crucial to continue raising awareness and taking measures to prevent any untoward incidents. The public patrol and cleanliness campaign in the Bidor area is essential in achieving this goal.
Source: Sinar Harian