Chikungunya Outbreak In Penang, Cause For Alarm
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Penang is seeing an alarming spike in mosquito-borne Chikungunya (CHIKV) infections.
Records show that there have been a total of 212 confirmed cases reported from between January and June, with a significant increase of 55 cases identified between June 7 and 13 alone.
The last time Penang had a CHIKV outbreak was back in 2009.
According to Penang’s Agriculture and Agro-based Industry, Rural Development and Health Committee, the cause of the viral outbreak was the proliferation of the aedes mosquitoes within the state.
The Penang Health Department is currently mitigating the problem by conducting fogging activities in CHIKV hotspots.
Penangites are advised to cooperate with health authorities to allow fogging works to be done in their homes as well as encouraged to keep their homes and neighbourhoods clean to be rid of mosquito breeding grounds.
Penang’s CHIKV outbreaks are currently concentrated in the Timur Laut district, Padang Tembak Flat, Lorong Sempadan, and Taman Air Itam.
Authorities reports that outbreaks in Kampung Pisang, Kampung Jalan Perak, Desa Baiduri, Jalan Lahat, Jalan Khoo Hye Keat, Kiara Indah Condo, Sri Impian, Jalan Goh Guan Ho, Desa Permata, Taman Terubong Jaya, Tingkat Lembah Ria, and Greenlane Park are under control.
In May, the state of Perak experienced a similar CHIKV outbreak with more than 450 cases reported in a period of five months.
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