Selangor mulls dengue vaccine as infections rise
SELANGOR residents have been urged to be extra cautious as the number of dengue cases has been on the rise over the past few weeks.

Between Feb 4 and 10, there was nearly a 70% hike in the number of cases compared to the same period last year.

In the latest update posted by Selangor Health Department (JKNS), the statement disclosed that 1,921 dengue cases were recorded between Feb 4 and 10 (epidemiology week six), compared to 2,083 cases for the period between Jan 28 and Feb 3.

“A total of 11,672 dengue cases have been reported throughout Selangor as of week six, marking a 69.9% increase in cases compared to the same period last year with 6,870 cases,” it stated.

One dengue-related death was recorded in this period.

“The mukim (sub-district) with the highest number of cases for week six is Petaling with 245 cases, Damansara (225), Kajang (166), Sungai Buloh (151) and Ampang with 139 cases.

“Cumulatively, the mukim of Petaling has the highest recorded cases thus far at 1,432, followed by Damansara (1,220), Kajang (1,106), Sungai Buloh (1,047) and Klang (986).”

JKNS also stated that Petaling district currently has the highest number of dengue hotspots with 76 locations, while Hulu Langat has 45, Klang 21, Gombak 9 and Hulu Selangor has three hotspots.

Selangor public health and environment committee chairman Jamaliah Jamaluddin said her office was discussing with the relevant parties on the usage of the Qdenga dengue vaccine, which was recently granted conditional approval by Malaysia’s Drug Control Authority (DCA).

Jamaliah says this year, the state government has a RM4.4mil budget for dengue control.“Whether the new dengue vaccine will significantly alter the landscape in combating dengue fever remains uncertain at this stage.

“While initial indications are promising, further data is required to thoroughly evaluate its long-term safety and effectiveness.

“Additionally, decisions regarding its deployment and use will ultimately be guided by directives from the Health Ministry,” she told StarMetro.

The Health Ministry had recently announced that it had granted conditional approval for the Qdenga dengue vaccine, available for those aged four and above.

Health director-general Radzi Abu Hassan had said the product was conditionally approved for registration after the DCA was satisfied with tests on its effectiveness, safety and product quality.

Jamaliah said the state government’s commitment to dengue control was reflected in the allocation of a RM4.4mil budget for 2024.

She said this would be dedicated to supporting a wide range of dengue control and prevention initiatives.

“On the vector control front, the state employs bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (spray), a biological control agent that interrupts the mosquito’s life cycle at the larval stage, in dengue hotspots.

“Additionally, we are in the deployment phase of Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes, which involves releasing mosquitoes carrying a bacterium that inhibits the transmission of the dengue virus.

“This strategy represents a method to sustainably reduce the mosquito population capable of spreading dengue,” she said.

Jamaliah explained that an integrated approach had been designed to tackle the dengue challenge holistically.

“By combining efforts across different domains, we aim to reduce the prevalence of dengue in Selangor and contribute to the national and global fight against this vector-borne disease.

“Collaboration with other public entities, including the Selangor Health Department (JKNS), is vital to ensure a coordinated and effective response.

Community involvement, said Jamaliah, was a cornerstone of the state’s dengue-eradication strategy.

“We believe informed and engaged citizens are key to the success of our dengue prevention and control efforts.

“Activities such as maintaining clean surroundings, eliminating stagnant water and using personal protection against mosquito bites are essential.

“To facilitate this, involvement of community health volunteers, notably those from Suka, are essential in raising awareness and educating the community at the grassroots level.”

The Selangor Community Health Volunteers programme, or Suka, was introduced in 2021 for participants to be involved in community public health activities.

To expand the reach and efficacy of its programmes, Jamaliah said the state was exploring public-private partnerships (PPPs).

“Dengue control requires solutions spanning medical, biological and community engagement spheres.

“The state has a specific interest in fostering PPPs that promise sustainable and enduring solutions for dengue prevention.

“This interest focuses on collaborations dedicated to environmental stewardship, effective waste management and water regulation practices that are key to reducing mosquito habitats, thereby enhancing efforts towards mosquito control.”

Meanwhile, Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) said it was working with the Petaling District Health Office to control and prevent dengue, especially in hotspot areas.

“This includes carrying out door-to-door inspections at night with the aim of increasing inspection rates (night mopping-up) and setting up “hotspots booths” to distribute health education materials in hotspot areas,” MBPJ said in a statement.

It added that efforts such as fogging, destruction of mosquito breeding sites, elimination of larvae, gotong-royong, awareness programmes and enforcement were ongoing.

MBPJ said since 2016, the Health Ministry with the Institute of Medical Research had released adult mosquitoes infected with the Wolbachia bacteria as a control measure in several areas under its jurisdiction.

These areas include Mentari Court, PJS 8; Kelana Putera and Kelana Puteri, SS7; Desa Mentari Block 1-8, PJS 6; Apartment Pelangi Block A, B and C in Persiaran Surian and Pelangi Condominium Block D-F and G-K also in Persiaran Surian.

Dengue is a viral infection transmitted to humans through bites by infected mosquitoes.

Infections can be asymptomatic or lead to symptoms like high fever, severe headache, acute joint and muscle pain.

In rare cases, it could also cause internal bleeding, shock and even death.

There is no specific treatment for dengue but early detection and access to medical care lower the disease’s fatality risk to below 1%.
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SELANGOR residents have been urged to be extra cautious as the number of dengue cases has been on the rise over the past few weeks.