Dengue cases surge 56.2% nationwide, 55 deaths recorded
Dengue fever cases in Malaysia have surged by 56.2% this year, resulting in 55 deaths as of mid-August. The Health Ministry is urging public cooperation to eliminate Aedes mosquito breeding sites, which are primarily found in residential areas.
Why it matters
The sharp rise in infections highlights a significant public health crisis and the ongoing challenge of vector-borne disease control in urban environments.
PETALING JAYA: Dengue cases nationwide have surged 56.2% this year, with 58,079 infections and 55 deaths recorded as of Aug 15, this year.
“The risk of dengue transmission remains high, and the national situation remains worrying following increases in cases now also detected in several other states,” said the Health Ministry in a statement on Friday (Aug 21).
The ministry said the increase was initially concentrated in the Klang Valley, particularly Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya.
Intensive and targeted prevention and control measures, including early case detection, vector control, outbreak management and mobilisation of personnel, have since begun to show positive results, it said.
However, figures released by the ministry showed sharp increases elsewhere.
According to the ministry, Perlis recorded the highest percentage increase at 207%, with cases rising from 55 last year (Jan 1 to Aug 15) to 169 this year.
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