Two deaths were recorded in Sabah today, one each in Tawau and Sandakan, bringing the total deaths due to the disease to 125 this year, Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said.
He did not elaborate on the two cases but said that the dengue situation in the country was getting more serious.
He urged hospitals and clinics to give special attention to dengue symptoms among patients and provide early treatment to those suspected of contracting the disease.
Speaking to reporters after opening the “Infectious Diseases Conference 2010: Issues and Challenges” organised by Malaysian Medical Association and the Health Ministry, Liow called on medical practitioners to refer to the dengue clinical guidelines at the ministry’s website at www.moh.gov.my.
He said early treatment was crucial because dengue patients could succumb to the disease within a week.
Liow also said that the ministry had set a target of reducing dengue cases nationwide by 10 per cent annually, as among its Key Performance Indicators (KPI).
Saying that the public should not take dengue for granted, he also called on the people to practise good hygiene and maintain cleanliness in and around their premises.
Deputy Health Minister Datuk Rosnah Abdul Rashid Shirlin said yesterday that Selangor had the highest number of dengue cases with 15,323, resulting in 43 deaths, so far this year.
— BERNAMA
YAM AKT JS
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