KUALA TERENGGANU – A 65-year-old man from Kampung Panji Alam became the first dengue fatality here this year while receiving treatment at the Sultanah Nur Zahirah Hospital.
State Health Department director Dr Muhammad Omar [Pic above] said the victim, who died this morning was admitted to the hospital on Dec 28.
Dr Muhammad said the victim suffered dengue hemorrhagic fever and received treatment at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for his condition.
“The victim had been placed at the ICU and received intensive treatment from the hospital . He is the first victim who died of dengue this year,” he told reporters during a press conference at his office in Kuala Terengganu today.
Dr Muhammad said five deaths from dengue fever were recorded in the state last year compared to two deaths in 2014.
“Last year, there were two deaths due to dengue fever recorded in Kuala Terengganu. There was also a fatality recorded in Hulu Terengganu, Kemaman and Besut,” he added.
In 2015, Kuala Terengganu recorded the highest number of dengue cases at 522, followed by Dungun (260 cases), Kuala Nerus (203 cases), Kemaman (160 cases) Besut (100 cases), Marang (95), Hulu Terengganu (58) and Setiu (18).
There was a total of 1,416 dengue cases reported in Terengganu from January till December, with 1, 391 of the cases being dengue fever and 25 cases, dengue hemorrhagic fever.
In 2014, there were 1,653 cases recorded with 1,578 cases of dengue fever and 75 cases of dengue hemorrhagic fever.
Dr Muhammad said the state Health Department sought cooperation from the public to destroy Aedes mosquito breeding grounds.-NST
