Latest updates: Ling showing the state health department’s statistics on where mosquito larvae are commonly found.

JOHOR BARU: Johor has the highest number of dengue deaths nationwide, which has led to the state government launching more efforts to destroy mosquito breeding grounds.

State health and environment committee chairman Ling Tian Soon said Johor is also the second highest state in terms of recorded cases so far, which was not an achievement to be proud of.

“Eight dengue deaths were recorded from Jan 1 until May 5, of which four of the victims were aged 60 and above.

“Three other victims were in their 30s and the fatalities included a 17-year-old.

“A total of 214 cases of dengue were reported in the 18th epidemiology week (from April 29 to May 5) alone.

“This brought the total number of cases in Johor to 6,098, a hike of 126% compared with the corresponding period last year,” he told The Star.

He reminded those who experience symptoms such as fever, chills and red spots on their body to seek immediate medical treatment and ask to be checked for dengue.

Ling said about 90% of the dengue cases were reported in Johor Baru and Kulai, probably due to the dense population.

“The situation is quite serious, which prompted the state to form the Johor South Dengue Task Force comprising the state Health Department and local councils to combine efforts to tackle the issue at the two districts.

“Among the initiatives being taken are carrying out gotong- royong programmes to destroy Aedes mosquito breeding grounds.

Smoking them out: Fogging is among the initiatives being taken to tackle the dengue issue. — SS Kanesan/The Star

“Local councillors, community leaders and resident committees will also go down to the ground in droves to alert the people about dengue.

“We want to alarm the people as subtle methods and gentle reminders no longer seem to work,” he said.

The state government also allocated additional funds of RM250,000 to the Johor Health Department to curb dengue using the outdoor residual spraying technique in high-risk areas, such as People’s Housing Projects and flats, Ling said.

He said the department’s data showed most of the mosquito larvae were found in plastic containers that were either left around the house or discarded in the trash.

Ling said the department’s enforcement team would also continue issuing compound notices against owners of homes or premises found with mosquito breeding grounds.

So far, a total of 2,040 compound notices worth RM1.01mil have been issued, and 64% of them had been paid.

“With the weather suddenly turning hot and wet these days, water could easily collect in pockets and containers; if left uncleaned or unattended, they will become breeding grounds for mosquitoes, exposing people to dengue and other illnesses.

“The state will also ramp up its cleanliness campaign, Johor Bersih, which is now under my purview, to remind the people that if we do not keep our surroundings clean, we will end up paying the consequences by falling ill,” added Ling.

-The STAR-