ALOR STAR – The Kedah Health Department has confirmed that two cases of Japanese Encephalitis (JE) have been detected in the Kota Setar district, with both cases involving fatality.
Kedah Health Department director Dr Othman Warijo said the first case was reported on November 18 followed by the second case on Thursday – the same day the department declared an outbreak of JE in the district.
In this regard, he said, the cumulative number of JE cases reported in the state as of Thursday was 10 cases compared to eight cases in the same period last year, an increase of 25%, with three deaths out of the 10 cases.
“Outbreak control activities were implemented immediately. Among the control measures implemented by the Kota Setar health office and state Health Department is vector control through thermal space spraying and larvaciding in patients’ residential localities as well as outbreak localities that are at risk.
“In addition, entomological studies by science officers at outbreak localities and active case detection are being carried out in the affected areas,” he said in a statement last night.
Dr Othman said members of the community have been advised to clean their environment and seek and destroy mosquito breeding grounds in their homes, as well as get immediate treatment at health clinics if they experience symptoms such as fever, headache and vomiting. – Bernama, November 28, 2021
