PUTRAJAYA: The number of dengue fever cases in Selangor has gone up by 270 week on week, bringing the total to 920 in the 20th epidemiological week (ME) of May 15 to 21.
In the previous ME (May 8-14), Selangor recorded 650 cases.
Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said cumulative dengue fever cases in the country this year as at ME 20 stood at 16,145 cases, an increase of 52.4% over the same period last year which saw 10,597 cases.
"Nine deaths from dengue complications were also reported this year to date compared to five deaths in the same period last year,” he said in a statement on Tuesday (May 31).
Dr Noor Hisham said the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya recorded 121 cases during ME 20, followed by Sabah (119), Johor (82) and Kedah (43).
He said 41 hotspots were also reported in ME 20 with 36 in Selangor, three in Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya, and one each in Melaka and Sabah.
In the light of the high transmission of dengue fever currently, he said the people must be proactive in ensuring the surroundings of their homes and workplaces are free of Aedes mosquito breeding grounds.
"The authorities will also conduct search-and-destroy activities against the mosquitoes apart from using preventive methods such as repellents and aerosol spray to kill adult mosquitoes,” he added. – Bernama
