Your friend in Singapore has written to you to inform you that his cousin in Penang was down with

dengue fever.
He would like to know the situation in Malaysia as he plans to bring his family over for the holidays in June. Write
a letter to brief him about the current situation.

In your letter, include the following:
express concern over the health of your
friends cousin
news about the situation
steps taken authorities
present situation

Do remember to:
use the informal letter format
use all the points given
expand each of the points given
add two more points on your own of the
steps taken to curb the situation
write in paragraph

CAUSES OF DENGUE
construction sites are largely to blamed
rainy season

PRECAUTIONARY STEPS TAKEN
health ministry to increase checks on aedes breeding grounds
Contractors instructed to take appropriate actions
family day clean-up of the housing estate
Lot of campaigns
Fogging has been carried
schools all over Malaysia carried out a clean-up campaign of the school compound

RELEVANT INFORMATION OF THE SITUATION
confirmed cases last year comprised children and youth under the age of 24.
improved since the end of January









No. 34, Street of Fame,
Taman Bukit Bintang,
Bukit Bintang,
67500 Ipoh,
Perak

14 January 2011

Dear John,

How are you? Im sorry to hear that your cousin had dengue fever. This problem
seems to have become very serious all of sudden. We always feel that the problem is not
our concern until someone close to us is affected.

My neighbours daughter who was in Standard 6 last year could not sit for UPSR
examination because she was down with dengue fever on the eve of the exam. Fortunately,
the authorities gave her an exemption so she is now in Form One. There were also a few
students taking the examination in the hospital.
According to the news, students made up nearly 30 per cent of the 1 500 suspected
cases over the first three weeks of the year. About 53 per cent of 621 confirmed cases last
year comprised children and youth under the age of 24. These statistics are quite
worrying. This has prompted the health ministry to increase checks on aedes breeding
grounds in school and public areas. The construction sites are largely to blamed. The
problem is made worse by the rainy season. The stagnating water attract the mosquitoes
to lay egg and breeding on the areas.
The authorities have taken various steps to control the situation. Fogging has been
carried out in many public areas and most of the housing estates. Contractors at the
construction sites have been instructed to take appropriate actions and warned to clean
up. Lot of campaigns through the television, radio and newspapers were taken to make
people aware of the issue and take precaution rather than cure them. In addition, a RM 3
000 fine was issued by the government for any party seen to promote in breeding aedes
mosquitoes.
Before the long holidays for the Chinese New Year, schools all over Malaysia
carried out a clean-up campaign of the school compound. The residents association in
my housing are also organised a family day clean-up of the housing estate. There were
huge piles of rubbish especially old tyres and containers littered by the hawkers near the
might market site. We collected these huge piles of rubbish to be brought to the recycling
centres in our area.
The situation in Malaysia has improved since the end of January. There have been
no reports of new cases of dengue. So, dont worry. You can bring your family for a holiday
here in June. I am looking forward to seeing them again.
I have to pen off now. Send my regards to your mom and dad. Do take care.

Yours sincerely,
Harun