WITH nine deaths reported till Feb 13, compared to two in the same period last year, a worried Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng classified dengue as a
“crisis” in Penang. The number of deaths marked a frightening 350% increase!
The number of dengue cases has also increased by 11.7% to 1,014 cases this year compared to 908 in the same period last year.
“The public should be extra careful about dengue,” he said when he visited the family of dengue victim, Amzah Hassan, 65, at their family home in
Desa Wangsa, Batu Maung on Feb 15.
Lim said Amzah died from severe headache and tiredness. “He did not have a fever. There may be various types of dengue around,” Lim cautioned.
During the visit, Lim handed over a donation to Amzah’s wife, Zubaidah Ibrahim, 55.
Also present were Batu Maung assemblymember Datuk Abdul Malik Abu Kassim and Southwest district medical officer, Dr Mohamed Iqbal
Hamzah. Abdul Malik also handed over a donation to Zubaidah.
Amzah, a Penang Island City Council (MBPP) employee, passed away on Jan 23 after being admitted to Penang General Hospital on Jan 17 with severe
headache and tiredness.
Lim urged the public to seek immediate medical attention if they feel unwell.
Dr Mohamed advised people to keep their house and compound clean to deter mosquitoes.
“Housing estates should organise more regular ‘gotong royong’ (clean up) campaigns to keep their place clean.
“Roof tops of flatted residences should also be regularly treated with insecticide like abate,” Dr Mohamed said.
Meanwhile, the Health Department’s deputy director of public health, Dr. Noorlia Yahaya, was quoted as saying that till Feb 13, a total of 1,014
dengue cases were reported compared to 908 cases last year, which is an increase of 106 cases or 11.7%.
She added that there were four main dengue hotspots, namely Mutiara Idaman and Taman Sri Pinang in the Northeast District, Desa Wangsa
(Southwest District) and Taman Impian Ria (Central Seberang Perai).
“The others are Taman Impian, Taman Sri Janggus Flat and Taman Sri Janggus Terrace Houses near Central Seberang Perai,” she said.
On Feb 18, Lim visited the family of housewife Zuraini Ya’acob whose eldest son, Muhammad Danial, succumbed to dengue on Jan 29.
Danial was diagnosed with the disease on Jan 25 and died four days later.
“He started out with fever. He went to the hospital but it could not be diagnosed immediately. When his fever worsened two days later, he was
admitted and tested positive for dengue.
“Unfortunately he never recovered and passed away a few days later,” Danial’s younger brother, Danish, 19, a college student, told Chief Minister
Lim Guan Eng when he visited the family at the Bandar Baru Air Itam police quarters where they live.
Danish was also diagnosed with dengue at the end of December last year but luckily recovered.
Zuraini, 50, said Danial still joked with them after he was admitted.
“He seemed not to feel any pain. He was a joyful person and loved eating, especially fried rice,” said Zuraina.
Her husband Alias Ishak, 49, is a policeman.
Danish said the community needed to work together to get rid of the dengue threat.
Lim handed a RM1,000 contribution from his office to the family during the visit.
Also present were state police chief Comm Datuk Abdul Ghafar Rajab and George Town police chief ACP
Mior Faridalathrash Wahid.
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