Number of dengue fever cases still high in Malaysia

The number of dengue fever cases in Malaysia is still at a worrying level, local newspaper The Star reported Monday.

"Although the number of cases dropped to 990 last week from about 1,200 the previous week (throughout the country), it is still at a high level," the Health Ministry's Deputy Director- General Ramlee Rahmat was quoted as saying.

Last week, three people died of dengue fever, thus bringing the total number of dengue-related deaths to 23 so far this year in the country.

Of the 990 cases reported last week, 357 were in Selangor state while 224 were in Kuala Lumpur.

Despite the reduction in the cases reported last week, the number of dengue cases was still high compared with the same period last year, Ramlee said Sunday.

He urged everyone in the country to be involved in the anti- dengue campaign to make sure that "there is no stagnant water around (their homes) especially in pots, drains and vases."

Ramlee also said local authorities will continue to distribute free larvicide, especially to schools and health clinics to reduce mosquito's breeding grounds.

Dengue fever, a viral infection transmitted by mosquitoes, mostly hits tropical and sub-tropical regions. Its symptoms include high fever, nausea, rashes, backache and headaches. The hemorrhagic variant, which causes severe internal bleeding as blood vessels collapse, is often fatal.