KUALA LUMPUR: The Health Ministry is utilising artificial intelligence (AI) to predict future dengue hotspots, with the aim of enhancing targeted interventions against the disease.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said that this initiative is part of the government's broader strategy to combat dengue, highlighting the significant role of technology in disease control.
“We are integrating predictive AI tools to map potential dengue hotspots before outbreaks occur. This proactive approach allows us to implement more targeted and effective interventions,” Dzulkefly told the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday (July 22).
A key strategy in the government’s long-term dengue response is the introduction of Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes, which have been deployed across 45 localities in Malaysia.
Dr Dzulkefly noted that the method has already shown strong results in suppressing the Aedes aegypti mosquito population, the main vector for dengue.
“In some areas, we’ve seen a reduction in cases by up to 45%, and in others, such as in Penang, the results are even more remarkable — with a 100% reduction in cases. This Wolbachia approach is proving to be highly effective and will be expanded to more high-risk states,” he said.
He emphasised that while conventional methods remain in use, Wolbachia deployment is emerging as a critical and sustainable solution to control the disease, not just in Malaysia, but globally.
He was responding to Datuk Dr Ahmad Yunus Hairi (Kuala Langat-PN), who inquired about the status of dengue vaccine development and whether the Health Ministry plans to introduce a national vaccination programme for dengue, which is currently classified as endemic.
Dzulkefly stated that Malaysia is advancing research on a next-generation oral dengue vaccine, Oravad, developed by Universiti Malaya researchers with support from the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry.
Concurrently, the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA) has granted conditional approval for the dengue vaccine Qdenga for two years starting from Feb 8, 2024. The vaccine’s manufacturer must submit periodic reports on its safety and efficacy among Malaysian recipients during this period.
However, Dr Dzulkefly clarified that Qdenga will not be included in the National Immunisation Programme for now, as Malaysia does not meet the World Health Organisation (WHO) criteria for its widespread use.
“The WHO recommends Qdenga in countries with high transmission rates, particularly where over 60% of nine-year-olds have had prior infections, or where the peak age for dengue hospitalisation is under 16. Malaysia does not meet these thresholds,” he explained.
Despite these developments, the Ministry will continue to monitor the progress of dengue vaccines, ensuring any potential public immunisation decisions are grounded in robust scientific evidence regarding efficacy, safety, and cost-effectiveness.
Malaysia has recorded a significant drop in dengue-related deaths this year, with just 21 fatalities reported so far in 2025, compared to 117 deaths in 2024.
