Malaysia’s current dengue outbreak is showing no signs of slowing down, shaping up to be the most dangerous outbreak of dengue fever since 2010.
More than 12,000 people hace been infected so far this year alone, which represents a 400 per cent increase in infections compared to the same period last year. 25 people have already died from dengue fever so far this year.
Efforts by local authorities to stem the tide of infections, which is spread by the aedes aegypti mosquito, have included the use of the biological agent BTI for the first time in tandem with fumigation runs in at-risk areas, have not succeeded. Government hospitals are inundated with dengue patients and the death toll shows no indication of slowing down.
Health Minister Dr S Subramanian said, “The situation is quite worrying and critical because every week we are having approximately 2,000 cases being reported.
“We have analysed all these steps which we are taking and to see their efficacy. So today, I’ve instructed all these seriously affected districts to have dual fogging continuously for four weeks at a stretch. We want to bring down the density of mosquitoes and larvae sites.”
Dr Subramaniam appealed for calm, while stating that a new dengue vaccine is close to being developed for mass distribution. The vaccine is currently undergoing the final phase of clinical trials in several countries, and Kuala Lumpur may receive it upon finalisation before any other city.
“Studies showing that they are quite useful (for strains) 1, 3 and 4. (They are) very effective. For (strain) 2, (it is) not so effective, but once this multi-centre trial is completed within the next two years or so, then we’ll be in a position to see whether we can make it marketable and available for use on a vaccination, as a control mechanism.”
Amidst the development of a vaccine for the four existing dengue strains, a new variant of the disease, Den 5, has been discovered in Sarawak, although at the moment it shows no signs of being able to transmit itself to humans.
Scientists have urged the public to not be unduly alarmed by this new strain, and to take heart in the possibility of a new vaccine, which will be the first time in three decades that medical science develops a lasting cure for a deadly virus that threatens up to 100 million people worldwide every year.
Until a vaccine is commercially available, scientists are advocating a multi-pronged approach. To bolster the fogging work of local authorities, member of the public are strongly urged to do their part to eliminate mosquito breeding grounds in their own homes and immediate surroundings.
Related: Dengue alert nationwide; KL Residents Apathetic To Dengue Threat; New dengue strain found; more might be on the way
Photo: Sanofi Pasteur / Flickr
Source: Channel News Asia
