MALAYSIA recorded 1,533 dengue cases in the 38th epidemiological week (ME) from September 18 to 24 – a 12.5% increase from 1,363 the previous week. 

This brings the total number of cases reported so far this year to 12,942, compared with 19,423 in the corresponding period last year.

Health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said the number of deaths due to dengue complications also increased to 24 against 13 deaths in the corresponding period last year.

“The number of hotspots also increased in the 38th ME – 48 as opposed to 42 – in the previous week. A total of 28 hotspots are in Selangor, Sabah (15), Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya (5),” he said in a statement today.

Meanwhile, Noor Hisham said Chikungunya surveillance recorded eight cases in the 38th ME, with three in Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya, two each in Selangor and Penang and one in Kelantan, bringing the cumulative number of cases so far to 646.

For Zika surveillance, a total of 1,452 blood samples and 15 urine samples were tested. All the results were negative.

Noor Hisham said the current hot and rainy weather was an ideal condition for Aedes mosquitoes to breed.

He said everyone should undertake preventive measures like keeping the surroundings clean and litter-free.

“Aedes mosquitoes only need a little water to lay their eggs and the eggs can survive for eight months in dry conditions,“ he added. – Bernama, September 29, 2022.