'Small Bite, Big Threat', this year's World Health Day theme

The worrying incidence in dengue cases world-wide has prompted the World Health Organisation (WHO) to set this year's World Health Day theme as 'Small Bite, Big Threat.'

Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam said this year's theme chosen in conjunction with the celebration, being held every April 7, was very timely due to the high and very fast rate of increase in dengue cases globally. "Over 2.5 billion or over 40 percent of the world's population is now at risk of contracting dengue, with the WHO estimate of about 50 to 100 million infection occurring every year," he said in a statement here.

Dr Subramaniam said the small bites from the Aedes mosquito could spread the virus from an infected individual to another individual. A serious outbreak would become a threat and a big burden for the country, he said.

Up to April 4 this year, some 26,107 cases were recorded with 63 deaths throughout the country. He said the community must act to control the dengue threat through activities organised in conjunction with the World Health Day 2014 that would be held in their areas.

Among such activities are the setting up of a clean and dengue-free environment, destroying Aedes mosquito breeding grounds and enhancing protection against the mosquito bites.