WHO warns cyclical spike in dengue cases, 11 now dead in Malaysia
posted in - Nation, - Palmdoc |Dengue is endemic and periodically we see spikes in the number of cases, and inevitably there will be deaths. MI reports
SHAH ALAM, Feb 2 — Selangor health officials are bracing to contain an anticipated sharp increase in dengue cases following 11 deaths, eight of which happened in the state last month.
“According to the World Health Organization (WHO) the number of dengue cases spike in two year cycles and the situation this year may get out of control if not contained.” state health executive councillor Dr Xavier Jayakumar told The Malaysian Insider.
Dr Xavier, who disclosed that 1,895 cases of dengue were reported in Selangor for January, chaired an emergency meeting with state and local government health officials where he described the situation as alarming.
It is understood that changing weather patterns were among factors which cause the cyclical spike in dengue cases but Dr Xavier said authorities had a window of about a month to contain it before it peaks in March and April.
“The spike started in the last week of December and is steadily increasing.”
Related MMR posts on Dengue
Last 5 posts by Palmdoc
- Doctors gone wild again - September 1st, 2010
- Tools of the trade XIX - September 1st, 2010
- Feedback: Housemanship - August 31st, 2010
- Merdeka!! - August 31st, 2010
- The things lawyers say - August 18th, 2010
