PUTRAJAYA, Aug 22 — The number of dengue cases in the country is on the rise with an increase of 1,963 cases reported between August 7 and 13 (Week 32) or an increase of 7.9 per cent from 1,819 cases reported the previous week.
Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah in a statement today said six deaths were also reported last week, four of which in Kelantan, and one each in Pahang and Selangor.
He said seven states recorded an increase in dengue cases, namely Selangor with 117 cases, Kelantan (36), Negri Sembilan (32), Johor (25), Malacca (21), Terengganu (seven) and Kedah (five).
Meanwhile, he said the cumulative cases of dengue from January up to August 13 stood at 69,400 cases compared to 75,795 cases reported during the corresponding period last year.
Dr Noor Hisham said six deaths due to dengue reported in Week 32 brought the total number of deaths to 153 compared to 212 death during the corresponding period last year.
Dr Noor Hisham said the number of localities where dengue is still active dropped from 661 to 635 in Week 32, while the number of hotspots increased to 90 from 85 previously.
Meanwhile, he said 715 blood samples were tested for the Zika virus by the National Public Health Laboratory and the Institute for Medical Research until August 13, but it was not detected.
No visitors were detected for Zika virus during health screenings conducted at several immigration checkpoints in the country, he added. — Bernama
