AFTER conducting strict and thorough operations to clear out Aedes mosquito breeding grounds, the number of dengue and Chikungunya cases in several parts of Penang has reduced.
Penang Local Government, Housing Town and Country Planning Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo said George Town has recorded a 52% drop in the number of dengue and Chikungunya cases. The percentage is equivalent to a decrease of 19 cases.
“There are no dengue or Chikungunya cases in Datuk Keramat now as compared to Week 30 when Datuk Keramat recorded 36 cases.
“I have instructed both Penang Island City Council (MBPP) and Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) last month to step up their operation to destroy potential mosquito breeding grounds in Penang.
“The councils were told to conduct daily operations instead of scheduled operations during weekends.
“The MBPP had performed daily operations from July 7 to July 29 to search and destroy mosquito breeding grounds,” he told a press conference in front of Masjid Acheh Kebun Lama today.
Jagdeep said he had also instructed all the Village Community Management Councils (MPKKs) in Datuk Keramat to hold weekly gotong-royong.
“I am happy to note that seven series of gotong-royong have been held since July 11,” he said.
He said while the people and the government were striving to fight the Covid-19 pandemic, it was equally important to curb the spread of dengue and Chikungunya infections.
The two infections are spread the same way, through Aedes mosquito bites.
Also present at the press conference was Jelutong MP R.S.N. Rayer.
Story by Christopher Tan
Pix by Chan Kok Kuan