SEPANG, May 19 – Improper waste management service is among the factors for the high dengue cases recorded in Selangor, said Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai.

He said from January until May 18, 9,500 cases were registered with 20 deaths in Selangor compared to 7,850 with twelve deaths for the same period last year.

“Fifty per cent of all dengue cases were recorded in Selangor. One of the factors is due to the improper garbage collection process in the state.

“If household and bulk trash are left uncollected for two weeks, Aedes will breed even faster. Even a spoon of water is enough for Aedes to breed,” Liow (picture) told reporters after launching the ‘Sihat Cergas Ceria’ carnival here today.

He said as Selangor had many residental areas with high population densities, the local authorities were responsible to ensure that garbage collection operations were running smoothly.

On the dengue vaccine research, Liow said that it was at the final stage and with the vaccine expected to be available in 2014. – Bernama