Drop in Labuan dengue cases, with zero death
Published on: Thursday, October 02, 2014
LABUAN: While the country has seen a three-fold increase in dengue cases, Labuan bucks the trend recording 11 cases, down from 44 last year, with zero fatality.So far there is no vaccine for this disease that causes nausea, headache, severe muscle and joint pain. It could progress to internal bleeding, organ impairment, respiratory distress and death.A total of 133 people were reported to have died in the first nine months throughout hospitals in Malaysia, with a cumulative 70,337 reported cases, according to WHO.ADVERTISEMENT The only way to win the war against the disease caused by Aedes mosquito is by prevention, stated Labuan Health Director Dr Ismail Ali, adding that the cases were mild to moderate."It is a war involving communities as eradicating breeding grounds of mosquito is the only strategy. The Health Department is going down to the ground to educate people that Aedes can breed even in dry containers up to six months. So it is not enough to make sure empty cans, bottles and shells are empty of water. They must be thrown away and destroyed."We also tell them to clear their garbage systematically and regularly. In areas not serviced by the local authority's garbage disposal, we initiate gotong royong clean-up," Dr ismail added.One school that took the war against Dengue Fever was SK Pekan 1. It had formed a Dengue Patrol. The teachers and students took pride in their project which was selected to represent Labuan in a national level competition.ADVERTISEMENT Students made effigies of the Aedes mosquito from Styrofoam and recycled items. The replicas were strategically placed in the school yard and hall. It also involved pupils with learning disabilities, who were placed in the Special Education Integration Programme.When Member of Parliament Datuk Rozman Datuk Haji Isli and Education Director Mistirine Radin visited the project, they saw the creativity and enthusiasm of the students.
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They even made a giant Aedes in flight over their heads, which had an effect of shock and awe of the menace.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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"This is to bring home the message that dengue fever is real and serious enough to take concrete actions to win the war," declared Noorlihan binte Alip, the teacher in-charge of Dengue Patrol.She informed Daily Express that SK Pekan 1 would be presenting a paper to the Ministry of Education. After which a panel of judges would be visiting the school to assess its project for the national-level competition.