Dengue cases rise in ME36 with one fatality reported

KUALA LUMPUR: Dengue fever cases have risen to 1,870 in Epidemiological Week (EW) 36, covering September 1 to 7, up from 1,765 the previous week, with one death due to complications, according to the Health Ministry (MOH).

Health director-general Datuk Dr Muhammad Radzi Abu Hassan reported that the total number of dengue cases recorded up to EW36 stands at 98,442, compared to 82,485 during the same period in 2023.

“There have been 89 deaths from dengue fever complications reported this year, compared to 59 deaths in 2023 for the same timeframe,” he said in a statement on Friday (Sept 13).

The number of “hotspot” localities reported in EW36 was 53, a decrease from 64 the previous week. Of these hotspots, 37 were in Selangor, six in Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya, four each in Negeri Sembilan and Perak, and two in Kelantan.

Dr Muhammad Radzi also noted that two cases of chikungunya were recorded in EW36, but no outbreaks were reported. The cumulative number of chikungunya cases now totals 72.

In Zika surveillance, Dr Muhammad Radzi reported that 1,870 blood samples, eight urine samples, and three cerebrospinal fluid samples were tested, all returning negative results. – Bernama