Kuala Lumpur (The Star/ANN) - Malaysia's health ministry has issued a "high alert" for dengue given the recent spike in cases.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said 480 cases were reported for last week alone, which was more than double the figure for late last year.
Eleven deaths were reported from Jan 1 until now, compared to only six for the same period last year.
The number of cases had also increased from 2,726 to 2,765.
"In November and December, we had over 200 cases. Early this year, we had over 300 cases.
"But it has shot up to 480 cases for last week alone.
"We need the public's help to help eradicate breeding areas," he said after launching a health carnival in Taman Melawati here yesterday.
He added that dengue cases had dropped from 46,000 cases in 2010 to 27,000 last year with the help of the 2,000 community-based anti-dengue (Combi) teams.
On the proposed 1Care health plan, Liow said it was premature to decide now as it was still being discussed at the working committee stage.
He said the model could be scrapped if deemed unsuitable, with the ministry given two years from now to work on the concept.
Liow said there would be consultations with the public, non-governmental organisations and professional bodies, while comparisons with overseas models would be carried out before a decision is reached.
He added that the current healthcare system was not being changed, but merely improved and upgraded.
Liow also denied claims that 10 per cent of a person's salary would go to the 1Care system.
"The cost would be shared by the government, employers and employees," he added.
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