Health Ministry director-general Tan Sri Dr Ismail Merican said most of the infections that occur usually emanate from the lack of cleanliness and personal hygiene.
“Viruses are very clever and unfortunately, no one can predict when a new disease or emerging disease will appear. Dengue is very much with us for a very long time but the H1N1 and the SARS are new emerging diseases.
“My advice is for all Malaysians to practice strict personal hygiene, keep their homes and workplace clean, practice sneezing and coughing etiquette and wash hands regularly, especially after going to toilet and before eating,” he said in reply to one of the more than 80 questions he received during a one-and-a-half hour NSTLive session at Balai Berita in Bangsar yesterday.
Dr Ismail said if one should fall sick, he should stay at home and not visit public places.
He fielded questions on dengue and other medical-related matters such as the H1N1. It was Dr Ismail’s first time on NSTLive and he thinks it is a good way to engage the public.
“I find it very interesting. Something different from what I have been doing.”
He invited readers to send in their views and complaints to ismailmerican@moh.gov.my
Below is an extract of the session:
Non: How has the response been after you told doctors in private sector to notify ministry on suspected dengue cases. Are more doctors notifying the ministry?
Dr Ismail: It is too early to tell. Prompt control measures can be undertaken by the health team should they be given information early about suspected dengue cases. The concern is only nine per cent of private doctors are doing that right now compared with our target of 85 per cent.
Aminah: The government told us not to perform open burning. But open burning can chase away mosquitoes. Let us do open burning to get rid of mosquitoes and, at the same time, reduce the use of aerosol spray which is damaging to the ozone layer.
Dr Ismail: Open burning is not encouraged especially with the present haze situation. This is not the way to get rid of the mosquitoes. The best way is still getting rid of the breeding sites and fogging infected mosquitoes. If there are no mosquitoes, there is no vehicle for the virus to be transmitted to humans.
Maintis: To fight dengue, the whole nation must unite. How is the ministry planning to do this?
Dr Ismail: We are stepping up our campaigns and we feel very strongly in Combi — communication for behavioural impact — as a way of getting the message across to a particular community.
What we normally do with Combi is to appoint someone from the local community and to train him regarding dengue control measures.
They would remind residents to inspect their homes, mobilise the local community to inspect homes, distribute dengue brochures and remind the community to get treatment if they fall ill.
