By Wendy John
SIBU, Dec 30: The number of dengue cases here has seen an alarming increase of 116 per cent from 69 cases in 2018 to 182 cases this year.
Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) chairman Councillor Clarence Ting said 45 per cent of the cases happened within the council area.
As such, Ting wanted the public to take the matter seriously and called for their cooperation.
“All residents must take preventive measures such as reducing the tendency of mosquitoes breeding in stagnant water particularly during rainy season,” he advised.
He added that although dengue cases have always been present, it was important to prevent the number of cases from increasing.
“Make sure you don’t leave clean water idle as this will invite mosquitoes to breed there,” he said.
On another matter, he said even though no cases of rabies had been reported so far in this town, the council would not be slack in its enforcement, especially against members of the public who let their pets run loose.
“We have received two cases of people bitten by dogs. I want all residents not to let your dogs roam freely in public area as this will pose a danger to the people. SMC will be very strict on the matter because when people contract rabies, it is the council’s responsibility,” he said.
Ting said if owners could not look after their pets properly by keeping them in their own house, then it was “better not to have them.”
He also warned the people not to prevent the council enforcement team from discharging their duties.
“Recently there was a woman who tried to stop our dog enforcement team from discharging their duty including making nasty comment in the media. We will haul the woman to court as it is already a police case,” he said.
On shophouse owners in the central business district of the town keeping birdnests in their premises, he said the council would act with the Forestry Department next year to weed out such practice.
“This is a nuisance that must be stopped,” he emphasised. —DayakDaily
