La Nina 2016 (June - Oct)

Assalamualaikum w.b.t

Before this, it was El Nino that made us feel like we are living in a giant hot ball. It made me bought an air-conditioner as well (haihh). Starting June 2016, reports claims that La Nina phenomenon will occur and it will bring excessive rain. The word EXCESSIVE is scary. You can read the rest of the news here:

KUALA LUMPUR: The La Nina phenomenon that brings excessive rain and expected to occur in the country from next month until October is likely to see an increase in dengue cases.

Health director general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said, however, the health authorities were ready with preventive measures and had taken steps to destroy Aedes mosquitoes in hotspots nationwide, particularly in the Klang Valley since April.

“The operation will be upgraded continuously to ensure Aedes mosquitoes do not breed when the country is facing the rainy season, especially with the coming La Nina phenomenon,” he told Bernama here.

He said a study conducted in Kuala Lumpur, Pahang, Kedah and Johor in 2011 revealed that the La Nina phenomenon and rain would further increase the risk of dengue infection after it rained for a week.

There were also studies that correlated the relationship between the La Nina phenomenon with an increase in the incidence of dengue fever in other countries, he said.

“For example, a study conducted in 2016 showed a significant increase in the incidence of dengue cases in the Philippines when the La Nina phenomenon occured in that country,” he said.

The La Nina phenomenon is associated with the amount of rainfall that exceeds normal rate and episodes of abundant and prolonged rain that increase water accumulation in places that can hold water in the surroundings such as tree holes, leaves, bottles and tyres which are suitable for Aedes breeding.

To enhance the effectiveness of the preventive measures, Dr Noor Hisham advised the people to be more aware of their home environment by ensuring there were no mosquitoes breeding grounds.

Up till April 23, dengue statistics for the 16th week this week showed a decline of 13.3 per cent or 1,607 cases nationwide from 1,854 cases in the previous week.

Only five states showed a rise in dengue cases - the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya 32 cases (25.2 per cent), Negeri Sembilan 10 cases(55.6 per cent), Kelantan six cases (14.6 per cent), Perlis four cases (100 per cent) and Pahang two cases (6.5 per cent). 
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BERNAMA
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd

So, take care folks. Dengue is serious matter.