THE number of dengue cases for the 43rd epidemiological week (EW43) of October 22-28 increased by 10 cases or 0.4% to 2,272 cases, compared to 2,262 cases in the preceding week.

Health Director-General Dr Muhammad Radzi Abu Hassan, in a statement today, said no death due to dengue fever complications was reported in EW43.

He said the cumulative dengue cases reported this year totalled 98,715 – an increase of 49,146 cases or 99.1% over the 49,569 cases recorded in the same period last year.

“A total of 73 deaths due to dengue fever complications were reported, compared to 33 deaths in the corresponding period last year,” he added.

He said the number of dengue hotspots dropped to 68 localities from 73 in the previous week, with 49 localities in Selangor, nine in Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya, six in Perak, and one each in Penang, Negri Sembilan, Pahang and Sarawak.

Radzi said four Chikungunya cases were recorded in EW43, bringing the cumulative figure so far this year to 181 cases.

On Zika surveillance, he said 2,982 blood samples and 301 urine samples were tested and all were negative for the virus. – Bernama, November 3, 2023.