Dengue infections spike nationwide

The health ministry today warned of a sharp increase in the number of dengue cases across the country, with 1,420 infections recorded from May 15 to 21, an increase of 32.2% or 346 cases from the week before and the highest weekly total reported since 2021.

Health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said this took the cumulative number of dengue cases reported so far to 16,145 compared to 10,597 during the same period last year – an increase of 5,548 cases or 52.4%.

While no dengue deaths were reported during the 20th epidemiological week, there have been nine fatalities as a whole this year compared to five during the same period last year.

In a statement, Noor Hisham said 41 hotspots were reported this week compared to 36 the week before, of which 36 are in Selangor, three in Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya, and one each in Melaka and Sabah.

“During this time of high dengue transmission, everyone needs to be proactive in ensuring that their homes, workplace and so on are free from breeding spots for Aedes mosquitos,” he said.