Aedes Fogging

Dengue fever has been on the rise recently. Hot weather in the day and rain in the evening have led to the increase of dengue fever cases in Subang Jaya township. Our area councillor, Mr. Rajiv, has given updates on the number of cases reported in his blog.

Dengue virus is spread by the bite of infected female Aedes mosquitoes and there is no vaccine or treatment. Aedes mosquitoes breed in clear water. During raining season, water puddle or accumulated water in can, bottle or flower tray can become possible breeding ground for vector Aedes mosquitoes. Thus, it is important to ensure there's no such water catchment containers being left around.

Dengue fever occurs widely in the tropic. The disease manifests as fever of sudden onset associated with headache, muscle and joint pains and rash. A hemorrhagic rash of characteristically bright red pinpoint spots. The classic dengue fever lasts about two to seven days. The blood platelet count of a dengue fever patient will drop below 100,000 platelets per mm³ and if it drops significantly to below 20,000 platelets per mm³, a blood platelet transfusion will be required.

In our township, when anyone has a fever that doesn't go off after 3 days, doctor will immediately do a blood test to check for sign of dengue fever, i.e. platelet drop. Upon confirmation, the patient would immediately be admitted to hospital. The dengue fever case will be reported to town council and public health department. A fogging team will be deployed the soonest possible to the street where the patient live to conduct fogging of insecticide. Sometimes inspection will be carried out. Efforts are being made by community groups to clean up our housing area and parks to remove cans, bottles, old tyres that may become water catchment for Aedes mosquitoes to breed.

A fogging had taken place recently on our street. Being a former dengue fever patient, I welcome this fogging exercise. I hope it will terminate all the Aedes mosquitoes in our area. A second bite by this mosquito will be fatal for a former patient. It can lead to more complication.