2,399 dengue cases recorded last week

Stay alert: The public is advised to use repellents to protect against mosquito bites in the outdoors. Seen here is water trapped in a box at a flat in Puchong. — Filepic

KUALA LUMPUR: The number of dengue fever cases reported in the 15th epidemiological week from April 9 to 15 increased by 2.6% to 2,399.

Health deputy director-general (public health) Datuk Dr Norhayati Rusli said one death due to dengue fever complications was also reported.

The cumulative number of dengue cases reported so far is now 33,325 compared to 10,954 in the corresponding period last year, an increase of 204.2%.

“A total of 21 deaths were also reported compared to five during the same period in 2022,” she was quoted by Bernama as saying in a statement.

Dr Norhayati said dengue hotspot localities also increased to 109 from 93 in the previous week, with 59 in Selangor, Penang (25), Sabah (10), Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya (six), Kedah (four), Perak (three), and one each in Sarawak and Labuan.

Three cases of chikungunya were also reported in the same week, taking the cumulative number to date to 117 cases.

A total of 795 blood samples and four urine samples were also screened for Zika, all of which were negative.

Dr Norhayati reminded the public to discard all containers that could become a breeding ground for Aedes mosquitoes during the long holiday in conjunction with Hari Raya Aidilfitri.

She also advised the public to use repellents to protect against mosquito bites, especially when going outdoors, and to seek immediate treatment if experiencing dengue symptoms such as sudden high fever, muscle or joint pain, headache and pain behind the eyes.