THE number of dengue fever cases in the 45th Epidemiology Week (ME) from November 6 to 12 increased by 22 cases or 1.3% to 1,715 compared to 1,693 in the previous week. 

Health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah in a statement today said two deaths due to dengue fever complications were reported during the week. 

“The cumulative number of dengue fever cases reported so far is 52,977 cases compared to 22,581 cases for the corresponding period in 2021, an increase of 30,396 cases (134.6%),” he said. 

According to Dr Noor Hisham, a total of 37 deaths due to dengue complications were also reported compared to 18 deaths during the corresponding period in 2021, an increase of 19 deaths. 

He said the number of hotspot localities reported also increased to 68 compared to 50 in the previous week.  

Dr Noor Hisham said of the total, 38 localities were in Selangor, 18 in Sabah, 10 in Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya, and one each in Perak and Sarawak. 

Regarding chikungunya, he said a total of six cases were recorded with three cases in Penang, two in Selangor and one in Perak, making the cumulative number to date 688 cases. 

As for Zika surveillance, Dr Noor Hisham said a total of 1,800 blood samples and 16 urine samples had been screened and the results were all negative. – Bernama, November 15, 2022.