The Malaysian Ministry of Health recorded the number of cases of dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) in Malaysia reached 1,533 in the 38th epidemiological week in 2022, from September 18 to 24.
Director General of Health of the Malaysian Ministry of Health Noor Hisham, in a press statement received in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday, said an increase of 170 cases of dengue fever, up 12.5 percent compared to the previous week which reached 1,363 cases.
"No deaths from complications of dengue fever were reported in the 38th epidemiological week of 2022," he said.
The total number of dengue fever cases reported so far in Malaysia in 2022 is 42,084 cases, an increase of 22,661 cases (116.7 percent) compared to 19,423 cases in the same period in 2021.
While the total death toll due to DHF complications reported so far has reached 24 people in the period this year. The death rate increased when compared to the 13 fatalities reported in the same period in 2021.
Meanwhile, the number of areas with high dengue cases in the 38th epidemiological week increased by six regions with a total of 48 vulnerable areas. DHF when compared to the previous week which reached 42 regions.
Of the 48 regions with high dengue cases, 28 of them -- or about 58.3 percent -- are in the Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya Alliance Areas.
The Malaysian Ministry of Health also recorded a total of 8 cases of chikungunya in the 38th week of epidemiology, with three cases from the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya, then two cases each from Selangor and Penang and one case from Kelantan.
The total number of chikungunya cases in Malaysia to date has reached 646 cases.
Hisham said the Aedes aegypti mosquito, the cause of dengue, only needs a small amount of water to lay its eggs and mosquito eggs can survive for eight months in dry conditions.
The rainy season that alternates with hot weather is an ideal condition for Aedes mosquitoes to breed.
Therefore, he asked the community to ensure that there are no water containers in the back alleys and yards of houses that can become a place for mosquitoes that cause dengue fever to breed.
Communities also need to ensure that areas near their homes, such as recreational parks and vacant land, do not have piles of containers that could potentially become a breeding ground for mosquitoes by disposing of unused items.
"Together we eradicate Aedes mosquitoes in our environment so that dengue fever can be prevented. There is no Aedes, no dengue fever, chikungunya and zika," said Hisham.
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ASIA EAST UPDATE