BUTTERWORTH: Dubbed the dirtiest flats in Penang, the unhygienic condition of a low-medium cost flat in Taman Teluk Indah, Perai here has also led it to be the potential Aedes mosquito breeding spot, according to the Penang Health Department (JKNPP).
JKNPP Vector Borne Disease Control Branch chief health inspector Mohd Wazir Khalid said several inspections had been conducted throughout the year, but the situation remained unchanged.
"Today, we conducted a special monitoring at this location as six dengue cases have been identified at the E1 and E2 blocks. We will declare this location as a dengue hotspot if the cases are prolonged," he told reporters during 'Ops Vektor' at the flats today.
Mohd Wazir said several campaigns had been organised to get residents of the 20-year-old flats to take better care of the surroundings but to no avail.
"We organised 'gotong-royong' four weeks ago and had to call it off as there was a lack of response from the residents here.
"The residents need to be responsible and aware of their surroundings as they are the ones who are living here. They have to make an effort to care for the cleanliness of their residing area,” he said.
Mohd Wazir said 60 per cent of the residents of the 21-storey blocks of flats were locals and the remaining were foreigners.
Meanwhile, a cleaner, J. Robert, 36, said the residents of the flats had normalised throwing garbage to the ground floor.
"Once, someone threw a soy sauce glass bottle from the top and it injured my leg. It is horrifying to even sweep around this area as the people tend to throw garbage from the top," he said.
