BATU GAJAH, March 3 ― People affected by water rationing should clean their containers at least once a week to prevent Aedes mosquitoes from breeding.

Health Ministry disease control division director Dr Chong Chee Kheong said people should also scrub the containers thoroughly to ensure that no mosquito eggs were still in them when the containers are refilled.

“These are hardy eggs as the lifespan is about six months and when water is refilled, it can re-hatch into larvae,” he told reporters after attending the state level gotong-royong to destroy aedes mosquitoes at Taman Batu Gajah Perdana yesterday.

He also advised people to cover their containers to prevent mosquitoes from breeding in them.

“They should constantly check their water for mosquito larvae. Throw the water away immediately if larvae is found.

“Abate larvicide could be used for long-term storage water containers. The water is still safe to drink as long as the product is used according to instructions,” he said.

The World Health Organisation says that 0.01 to 0.025 grammes of abate for every one litre of water is safe for consumption. It recommended that the product be reapplied every seven to 14 days.

Meanwhile, Perak Health Department director Datuk Dr Nordiyanah Hassan said seven dengue cases had been reported in Taman Batu Gajah Perdana since the beginning of the year.

He said as a precautionary measure the public should add abate, which can be obtained from health offices.

Taman Batu Gajah Perdana is one of ten locations in  the country selected by the Health ministry to launch the gotong-royong simultaneously nationwide.

Health department officers issued compounds to four factories and five to business premises located in the vicinity of the housing estate after they were found to be breeding mosquitoes. One house was also compounded.

Two deaths also occurred in Batu Gajah.

The state recorded 1,133 cases of dengue until February 22, including three deaths, compared to 309 cases during the same period last year.

Perak is the state with the fourth highest number of cases.