Dengue cases increase in Johor, says exco member

JOHOR BARU: The number of dengue cases in Johor has increased by 12.9% to 131 cases in the epidemiological week (EW) 39 this year compared with the previous week.

State health and unity committee chairman Ling Tian Soon said that the cumulative number of cases reported during EW 39 this year has also increased by 65.7% compared with the corresponding period last year.

"The cumulative number of cases in the state during EW 39 is 2,403 cases, which is an increase of 65.7% compared with last year, where only 1,450 cases were reported during the same period.

"The number of cases reported during EW 39 has also increased to 131 compared with 116 cases during EW 38," he said in a statement here on Tuesday (Oct 4).

He added that of the week's new cases, 54 (41.2%) were in epidemic localities, while 77 (58.8%) were non-locality infections.

"Johor Baru recorded the highest number of cases with 94 cases or 71.8%. This is followed by Kulai with 19 cases, Pontian with four cases and three cases each in Kluang, Batu Pahat, Kota Tinggi and Tangkak.

"Two cases were recorded in Segamat while no cases were reported in Muar and Mersing," he said.

He noted that districts that recorded an increase in the number of cases during EW 39 compared with EW 38 were Johor Baru, Kulai, Batu Pahat, Pontian, Kota Tinggi and Tangkak.

"However, no deaths have been reported during EW 39," he said, adding that only one death has been reported due to dengue this year.

He also said that a total of 20 new epidemic localities have been reported during EW 39 where 18 are in Johor Baru and two in Kulai.

On a separate matter, Ling said that as of Sept 30, the cumulative number of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) cases in Johor stood at 9,156.

"The number of cases during EW 39 has increased to 58 cases compared with only 40 in the previous week.

"So far, no active cluster of the disease has been reported," he said.

On another matter, Ling said no monkeypox cases have been reported in the country.