IPOH: The number of malaria cases around the Pos Kemar Orang Asli settlement in Gerik, have gone up to 129, with three more people tested positive for the mosquito-borne disease on Tuesday.
State Health, Public Transport, Non Islamic Affairs, National Integration and New Villages committee chairman Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon said a total of 68 men and 61 women have contracted the disease.
Mah said of the total, 16 patients have been admitted to Gerik Hospital.
"The rest are receiving treatment at Asrama Sri Didik and Pos Kemar settlement," he said after visiting seven underprivileged patients who are recipients of the Khazanah IHH Healthcare Fund for cataract surgery at Pantai Hospital, here.
He said 82 of the malaria patients have received full treatment and are now reported to be in stable condition.
Mah said the authorities were still trying to pinpoint the source of the outbreak and had taked blood samples from the patients.
The malaria cases of the Plasmodium Vivax (P Vivax) strain were first detected in Pos Kemar on Nov 16, after three residents at the settlements were tested positive.
The last malaria case reported in the area was in 2009.
In another development, Mah said dengue cases in the state have declined to only 3,549 cases compared to 9,069 cases for the same period last year.
He said the cumulative number of dengue cases have dropped by 60.9 per cent or 5,520 cases from Jan to Dec 10.
"From the total cases, 10 deaths were recorded this year, as compared to 24 deaths for the corresponding period, last year," he said.
Mah attributed the drop to intensive efforts by the state government, working together with other related agencies to educate the public on the importance of controlling the spread of the disease.
"We must always maintain cleanliness and check for any mosquito breeding grounds within the compound of our houses. We can play our part to eliminate the problem." he said.