Johor has recorded a significant increase in dengue infections this year, with cases rising by 84.1 per cent compared to the same period last year.
State Health and Environment Committee chairman Ling Tian Soon said the number of dengue cases climbed from 3,930 previously to 7,235 cases recorded so far this year.
He said the increase was influenced by several factors, including unpredictable weather conditions and changes in the circulating dengue virus serotypes.
“The rise is partly due to unstable weather patterns as well as changes in the dengue virus serotypes,” he said after chairing a coordination meeting involving the state Health Department, district health offices, local authorities and related agencies yesterday.
Ling said the situation required urgent attention as nearly 90 per cent of dengue cases in Johor were reported in the Johor Baru and Kulai districts.
He added that both districts would remain the main focus of prevention and enforcement efforts due to the high number of infections recorded.
To reduce the spread of dengue, a total of 96 community clean-up programmes will be carried out in Johor Baru and Kulai from mid-August.
The programmes will focus on removing potential Aedes mosquito breeding grounds while increasing public awareness on the importance of dengue prevention.
Ling stressed that close collaboration between health authorities, local councils and enforcement agencies was vital to ensure effective action against the spread of the disease.
He also called on residents to take responsibility by keeping their homes and surroundings clean, especially by removing stagnant water that could become breeding sites for Aedes mosquitoes.
“Dengue prevention starts with everyone. Community involvement is important to break the chain of transmission,” he said.
