Liow: Increase in dengue cases worrying

BENTONG: The increase in the number of dengue cases reported nationwide is worrying.

Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said 580 dengue cases were reported last week as compared to 400 cases previously.

"Most of the dengue cases were reported in residential areas and major towns.

"Hence, we really hope that the Communication for Behavioural Impact (Combi) programme will be intensified in the Neighbourhood Watch areas, as well as  residential areas," he told reporters after presenting donations to fire victims in Kampung Baru Cina Ketari near here.

A total of 120 people from 26 families were made homeless in the fire which broke out at 3.55pm last Wednesday.

Present was Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing Minister Datuk Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin.

Liow, who is also Bentong Member of Parliament, said that the number of dengue cases declined to only 27,000 last year from 46,000 in 2010.

"We would also like to ask the public to cooperate with the Health Department and the municipal councils to destroy aedes mosquitoes, carrier of the dengue virus," he said.