Dengue Fever Threat Escalates in Malaysia, Prompting Health Ministry Action

The incidence of dengue fever cases in Malaysia is experiencing an upward trend, prompting the Health Ministry to issue a warning about the exacerbating impact of persistent rainy weather on the situation.

In the period spanning from January 7 to 13, the number of reported dengue fever cases surged to 3,525, marking an increase from the 3,181 cases recorded the preceding week. Additionally, two fatalities were reported during this timeframe, according to Health Ministry Director-General Muhammad Radzi Abu Hassan, who released a statement on Monday.

Addressing the contributing factors, Abu Hassan noted that the Meteorological Department had observed the continuation of the southwest monsoon season from November to March, creating conducive conditions for the proliferation of Aedes mosquitoes and expanding potential breeding areas. He emphasized the importance of the public adopting preventive measures both during and after floods, as reported by Xinhua news agency.

Over the week, the number of hotspots across the country rose from 130 to 136, with Selangor state experiencing the most severe impact, followed by the capital, Kuala Lumpur, and the administrative center of Putrajaya, Abu Hassan revealed.