KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 13 — Three deaths due to dengue were reported in Sabah and two in Selangor last week bringing the total to 79 this year. 

Health deputy director general Datuk Dr Lokman Hakim Sulaiman said the deaths involved three women and two men aged between 16 and 61.

“Four students/college students received treatment after displaying dengue fever symptoms. Some patients have a medical history of high blood pressure and diabetes.

“Health inspections at the dwellings of the patients found aedes thriving in discarded plastic bags, tyres, pails and polystyrene containers,” he said in a statement here today.

Dr Lokman Hakim said the cumulative deaths this year as of last week have risen, as compared to 34 deaths nationwide in the same period last year.

There were 1,677 reported cases of dengue fever last week, with eight states showing an increase.

Labuan Federal Territory recorded a 100 per cent increase with three cases, Sabah, 76.9 per cent (10 cases), Perlis, 75 per cent (three), Kedah, 61.5 per cent (eight), Terengganu, 26.3 per cent (five), Sarawak, 11.5 per cent (three), Selangor, 8.9 per cent (88) and Johor 0.6 per cent (one).

“The cumulative dengue fever cases reported from January 1 until December 7, 2013 are 37,698 compared to 20,387 in the corresponding period last year, showing an 84.9 per cent or 17,311 increase,” he said.

He said 14,092 premises were inspected in the nationwide operation, Gempur Aedes, 5/2013 series last November 12, and from the figure, 111 premises were imposed compounds totalling RM55,500. — Bernama