Dengue cases up from previous week, most hotspots in Selangor

A total of 1,474 dengue fever cases were reported in the 40th epidemiological week (ME 40) from Oct 2 to 8 compared to 1,460 in ME 39.

Health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said the increase brought the cumulative number of dengue cases reported to date to 45,018 compared to 20,376 during the same period last year.

This is an increase of 24,642 cases (120.9%).

He said the number of cumulative deaths rose 100% to 28 due to reported complications from dengue compared to 14 deaths in the same period last year. 

"A total of 53 hotspot areas were reported this week compared to 55 hotspot localities in the previous week with 31 hotspot areas in Selangor, 14 in Sabah, and eight in Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya," he said in a statement.

Noor Hisham said Chikungunya surveillance saw three cases in ME 40 – two in Selangor and one in Kedah – taking total cases to date to 652.

As for Zika surveillance, a total of 1,544 blood samples and 16 urine samples were taken with the results returning negative.

Noor Hisham urged everyone to ensure that there are no water-retaining containers in the vicinity of their homes that could end up breeding Aedes mosquitoes and to dispose of items at disposal sites in a safe and proper manner.

He advised those affected by floods to conduct "search and destroy" activities to clear Aedes mosquito breeding containers immediately after the floodwaters recede. 

He said the rubbish carried by the floodwaters could stagnate and become a breeding ground for Aedes mosquitoes.

"Also, avoid Aedes mosquito bites by using repellant and aerosol spray, and by wearing clothes that cover the body parts. No Aedes, no dengue, Chikungunya and Zika," he added.