Chikungunya and dengue situation in Perak, Negri and KL has improved

Tuesday August 19, 2008


TANGKAK: The chikungunya and dengue fever outbreaks in Perak, Negri Sembilan and Kuala Lumpur are under control.

Health Minister Datuk Liow Tiong Lai urged the people to help clean up villages, housing areas and towns to ensure their premises do not become mosquito-breeding grounds.

He said that apart from the three areas, Johor and Malacca too had been affected by the chikungunya outbreak.

He added that the ministry had declared an all-out war against the culprit mosquitoes to further curb the menace.

Liow, who was earlier briefed on the chikungunya outbreak by Muar Health Department officer Dr Mohd Zulkifli Othman, said that as of Sunday Johor had recorded more than 830 cases of chikungunya.




Showing concern: Liow talking to hospital patient Ong Kim Sua, who is suspected of having chikungunya fever, during his visit to Tangkak Hospital on Sunday.

He said the ministry had set up special units to monitor all affected areas and taken preventive measures, including fogging, to curb the spread of the disease.
On the shortage of doctors in government hospitals, Liow said the ministry would implement measures to increase their numbers, especially in Johor, Sabah and Sarawak.

He said one way was to increase the number of new doctors in big hospitals so that experienced professionals could become visiting doctors at smaller hospitals.

“We will also resolve the shortage by asking the Public Services Department to take in more doctors immediately, and we will also engage foreign doctors,” he added.

“I have directed the ministry's director-general to expedite the plan, and also to recall local doctors now serving abroad.”

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