PUTRAJAYA: The number of dengue fever cases fell to 1,765 in the 35th epidemiological week (ME35) from Aug 25 to 31, compared to 1,980 cases the previous week.
Health director-general Datuk Dr Muhammad Radzi Abu Hassan said four deaths from dengue fever complications were also reported during the week.
He further said that the cumulative number of dengue fever cases reported up to ME35 was 96,572, compared to 80,201 cases for the same period in 2023.
“There were 88 deaths due to dengue fever complications compared with 57 fatalities in the same period last year,” he said in a statement, Bernama reported.
He also said that 64 hotspots were reported, down from 85 the previous week.
Of these, 45 were in Selangor, seven in the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya, three each in Negri Sembilan, Kelantan and Perak, and one each in Kedah, Sabah and Sarawak.
Dr Muhammad Radzi also said two chikungunya cases were reported, bringing the cumulative total to 70 cases.
As for zika surveillance, he said 1,834 blood samples, eight urine samples, and three cerebrospinal fluid samples were screened – and all results were negative.
However, he warned that the risk of dengue fever transmission would typically rise during school and public holidays due to increased public movement.
Therefore, the Health Ministry is urging the community, including schools and contractors, to ensure that no containers are left to collect water around the premises, which could serve as breeding grounds for Aedes mosquitoes before start of the second school term holidays.
