THE number of dengue cases in the third epidemiological week this year (ME3/23) from January 15 to 21 dropped by 8% or 201 cases to 2,319, against 2,520 in the previous week.

Health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah, in a statement today, said one death due to dengue fever complications was also reported during the week.

The cumulative number of dengue cases reported so far is 7,058 compared with 2,165 in the corresponding period last year, an increase of 226% or 4,893, with three deaths against zero during the same period last year.

“A total of 80 hotspot localities were reported in ME3/23, of which 50 were in Selangor, Sabah (14), Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya (9), and Penang (7),” he said.

On chikungunya, Noor Hisham said a total of 11 cases were recorded in ME3/23, with three each in Kedah, Penang and Selangor and two in Perak, raising the cumulative total to 47.

“As for Zika surveillance, 150 blood samples and one urine sample had been screened, and the results were all negative,” he said.

The public can visit iDengue for the latest updates on the dengue situation or to check dengue status in residential areas, workplaces and other areas. – Bernama, January 25, 2023.