The number of dengue cases in Terengganu continues to rise with 230 cases already reported this year, an increase of 277 percent from 61 cases during the corresponding period last year.

Terengganu state assembly speaker Mohd Zubir Embong described the trend as "very worrying".

"That's why we want people to continue to look for and destroy any Aedes breeding grounds without having to wait for direction or action from government departments and agencies, especially in localities with the dengue epidemic.

"The state government hopes that the gotong-royong perdana programme being carried out in 27 localities in all districts in the state today will be a starting point for the people to keep their house compound clean," he told reporters after launching the programme at Masjid Bukit Besar in Kuala Terengganu today.

He said at present, 100 dengue patients were still receiving treatment at the Hospital Sultanah Nur Zahirah in Kuala Terengganu, but none in critical condition.

Mohd Zubir said two new localities were detected in Kuala Terengganu, namely at Kondo Rakyat Kuala Ibai and Lorong Bakti, with five cases reported since last Wednesday.

"Kampung Panji Alam had the highest number of cases, at 24, followed by Kampung Losong Haji Su (18 cases) and Kampung Losong Haji Mat Shafie (13 cases)," he added.

Meanwhile, he said the Terengganu Health Department had conducted inspections on 7,837 premises and of that total, 173 premises were found to be breeding places for the Aedes mosquito.

- Bernama