Malaria cases in Gerik on the rise

The number of malaria cases in the Pos Kemar Orang Asli settlement in Gerik, 150km north of here, has increased to 52, with nine more cases detected today.

Perak Director of Health Datuk Dr Juita Ghazalie said the biggest number of cases, 44, was in Kampung Senangin, rising by seven from 37 yesterday.

One case was detected in Kampung Rantau, doubling the total number to two, while one case was detected in Kampung Lediau, she said.

She also said that the number cases in Kampung Akei and Kampung Ralak remained unchanged at four and one, respectively.

"The number of cases admitted to the Gerik Hospital remained unchanged from the 20 yesterday. Efforts are being made to refer those verified as positive to hospital," she said when contacted.

Dr Juita said 622 cases of screening were carried out in 17 villages in the settlement, up from the 10 villages yesterday, to check the spread of the disease.

The State Health Department had also distributed 295 medicated mosquito nets to the Orang Asli villagers, she said.

The last reported cases of malaria occurred in the settlement in 2009. - BERNAMA