THE Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) is always committed to curbing the spread of dengue and chikungunya outbreaks on the mainland.
Plenty of cleaning operations, including fogging activities, are conducted regularly especially in hotspots to eradicate the breeding of Aedes mosquitoes and to stop the spread of chikungunya infections.
Buletin Mutiara managed to interview some of the MBSP councillors to know more about their efforts regarding the matter and below are their views:
Fahmi Zainol (MBSP councillor)
“As a local councillor who is in charge of the Seberang Jaya area, I am particularly concerned of Taman Siakap as it is considered one of the hotspots here.
“We have been consistently carrying out a daily cleaning operation with the help of MBSP workers and the appointed contractor hired by the city council.
“The cleaning operation involves 1,309 residential premises and 45 alleys in Taman Siakap.
“The operation mainly focuses on clearing up the potential breeding grounds for the Aedes mosquitoes and also to clean up clogged drains and remove some debris.
“At the same time, the state Health Department has also been carrying out fogging activities in Taman Siakap thrice a week.
“Hopefully, with everyone’s concrete efforts, the prevalence of chikungunya and dengue cases will subside.”
Bernard Cheen Goon Hooi (MBSP councillor)
“Apart from the usual approach to prevent chikungunya and dengue cases in Padang Lalang, I also use guppy fish as part of my initiative to curb the outbreaks in the area.
“The guppy fish is put into standing water such as in a drain and is proven effective as they basically eat the larvae and thus prevent the breeding of Aedes mosquitoes.
“Although, there are no chikungunya and dengue cases in Padang Lalang so far, I urge the people here not to let their guard down but continue to take precautionary measures by ensuring their environment remains clean.
“We must combat these dengue and chikungunya diseases at all costs.
“Thus, it is everyone’s responsibility to make sure that their neighbourhoods are always in a good and clean condition.”
Heng Yeh Shuan (MBSP councillor)
“In the Jawi area, there are no chikungunya and dengue cases recorded until today but I have constantly reminded the people here to stay vigilant and not to be too complacent as our fight against them is not over yet.
“We must keep in mind that while cases of Covid-19 currently dominate the news, cases of dengue fever have also been on the rise in the country.
“And also with the unstable weather that we are having currently, it may also lead to higher cases of dengue.
“Thus, each of us needs to play our part in ensuring our residential area is clean from any potential breeding grounds for the Aedes mosquitoes. This includes regular checks on tanks, pails, swimming pools, aquariums and empty containers.
“We must all remember that prevention is better than cure.”
Story by Riadz Akmal
Pix courtesy of Seberang Perai City Council