Johor sees 430% in dengue cases compared to ME17 in 2022

JOHOR BARU: Johor recorded an increase of 430% in dengue cases on the 17th epidemiological week (ME17) (April 23-April 29) this year, with 2,531 cases reported compared to 478 cases in the same period last year.

Johor health and unity committee chairman Ling Tian Soon said that of the 2,531 cases, 905 were in epidemic localities and 1,626 were in non-epidemic localities.

"We have also recorded 150 cases of dengue fever in ME17, a drop of 1.3% compared to the 16th epidemiological week (ME16) (April 16–April 22) with 152 cases.

"The majority of the cases are from Johor Baru with 104 reports, while Kulai, Segamat, and Kota Tinggi are showing signs of an increase in cases," he said in a statement here on Monday (May 1).

No deaths were reported on ME17; however, two deaths have been recorded from January until April 29, this year, compared to zero cases within the same period last year, he added.

"The health department has also issued 2,248 compounds amounting to more than RM1mil, of which 53.1% have paid their compound," he said.

In cases of influenza-like illness (ILI), Ling said there has been a 49.6% drop in cases of respiratory infections on ME17 from the previous ME16, with a total of eight clusters reported involving 134 cases.

"A total of 1,626 cases were recorded in ME17, compared to 3,226 cases in ME16.

"From the eight clusters reported this year, seven clusters occurred in higher education institutions, while one cluster occurred in a hospital," he said.

In general, cases of ILI and upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) are common in the country, and the situation is under control and closely monitored by the Johor Health Department, he added.

On cases of Covid-19 in the state, Ling added that there was no sudden spike in cases and the bed occupancy rate in the state was still under 5.0%.

"As of April 29 this year, a total of 353 cases were reported on ME17, with 200 cases from Johor Baru, Muar (33 cases), Kulai (28 cases), Batu Pahat (23 cases), Kluang (22 cases), Kota Tinggi (20 cases), Tangkak (14 cases), Pontian (11 cases), and Segamat (2 cases)," he said.