The New Straits Times recently reported that stirring up guilt and the fear of pain is the latest advertisement on dengue. It appears every day on radio and television in Bahasa Malaysia, Chinese and Tamil.

Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai told the New Straits Times: “A father’s negligence or his irresponsible attitude towards his daughter suffering from fever had resulted in her death. If only he had taken her early to see a doctor for early treatment.”

He said parents should be more alert and take their children to a clinic or hospital if they show symptoms of the disease, including that of influenza A (H1N1). “In most of the diseases, the symptoms are the same. It is better to diagnose early and seek appropriate treatment than to lose a loved one.”

He said the ministry had taken advertisements even in the print media, put up banners, posters and distributed pamphlets to the people, both in urban and rural areas, to create awareness of dengue, its symptoms and prevention.