Destroy Aedes breeding grounds before going off for Aidilfitri

Residents have been advised to destroy Aedes breeding grounds in their homes before going off to celebrate Aidilfitri.

Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said they should join clean-up activities by the community to rid their areas of Aedes mosquitoes.

"If this is not done, the mosquito population will increase and give rise to more dengue cases," he said at a meeting with media practitioners, here Monday.

The 'All Out Campaign To Fight Dengue' which began last week was expected to start showing results within two to three weeks in the form of reduced cases.

Dr Noor Hisham said so far the impact was not evident as the involvement of the residents was still low.

"We have instructed staff from states with low dengue cases to help Selangor and Federal Territory clean up areas and activate the community."

There are 2,670 Communication For Behavioural Impact (Combi) projects nationwide involving 53,800 volunteers, mostly in rural areas.

He said lack of cooperation of communities in the city also contributed to the increase in dengue cases in urban areas.

For more information, the public can contact the National Dengue Operation Room at 03-8881 0200 daily from 8am to 5pm or the ministry Facebook page.