ISKANDAR PUTERI: The Johor government is set to evaluate the proposal for dengue vaccination along with preparations for the monsoon season during a special meeting scheduled for Thursday, November 7. State Health and Environment Committee chairman Ling Tian Soon highlighted the urgency of the matter following a 36.1 percent increase in dengue fever cases reported in the 43rd epidemiological week compared to the same period last year.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the state government plans to continue its efforts to combat dengue through previously implemented programs, supported by a RM250,000 allocation. The initiatives will focus on dengue hotspots, particularly during the monsoon season, and will include outdoor fogging, community clean-up activities, and continuous monitoring. Ling mentioned that a hotspot would be selected as a pilot project to combat dengue, with the aim to replicate successful strategies in other areas.

Ling also recommended that residents in dengue hotspot areas consider getti
ng vaccinated at private clinics or hospitals. Additionally, during the state-level 2024 National Environment Day celebration at Sireh Park, he described the event as a preliminary step towards aligning the state’s development with environmental preservation goals by 2030. Various advocacy-based activities have been conducted, including e-waste collection, recycling initiatives, tree planting, fish seedling releases, and the ‘Jangan Bakor Ek’ expedition.