One-third decrease in dengue deaths

Health hazard: Cleanliness is of paramount importance in preventing dengue fever cases. Inadequate rubbish containers can result in rubbish spilling causing water to collect.

PETALING JAYA: There was significant drop in the number of dengue fever cases in Malaysia with deaths down by almost one-third despite an increase in cases in neighbouring countries.

The total number of cases for last year was 101,357 compared with 120,836 for 2015, a reduction of 16.1% or 19,479 cases, way past the 5% annual reduction targeted while the number of deaths fell by a third.