DIRECTED: INFORMAL LETTER

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
write in paragraph

No. 123, Jalan Wabiang,

Taman Ojibala,
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 attracts 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. They could be fined up to RM 3 000 for breeding aedes
mosquitoes. 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.
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.

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. Im
looking forward to seeing them again.
Send my regard to your mom and dad. Do take care.
Yours sincerely,
Leng Zai Yang