Dengue cases soar 66pc, deaths hit 62 in Malaysia, almost double 2025 toll

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 9 — Dengue fever cases nationwide have increased sharply by 66 per cent with 65,979 infections recorded as of Epidemiological Week 35 compared with 39,616 during the same period last year, says Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil.

The unity government spokesman said the issue was among those discussed at the Cabinet meeting today, with the number of deaths due to dengue also showing a significant increase.

He said 62 cases of deaths due to dengue were recorded up to the 35th epidemiological week of this year, compared to 32 cases in the same period last year.

“The Cabinet was briefed on the status of the dengue problem which showed a marked increase compared with the previous year’s.

“The cumulative death toll for 2025 to the 35th week of the epidemic was 32 cases, while for the same period in 2026 there were 62 cases and this is an increase of 93.8 per cent,” he said at a press briefing that was broadcasted live after the Cabinet meeting in Putrajaya today.

Fahmi, who is also the communications minister, said the Cabinet also discussed measures to address the hike in cases, including the implementation of gotong-royong programmes soon.

He said the Housing and Local Government Ministry (KPKT) will be in charge of organising the programme, especially in areas identified as red zones or where an outbreak is occurring.

“The KPKT will start the gotong-royong programme in the next few months, and this will be followed up with a statement from the ministry,” he said.

Meanwhile, Fahmi said the Cabinet was also briefed on the success of the Wolbachia mosquito breeding programme in Putrajaya.

However, he said the Cabinet was also informed about the effects of “fogging” activities on Wolbachia mosquitoes, which are used as a method of dengue control.

“The Wolbachia mosquitoes, which are capable of inhibiting the reproduction and spread of the Aedes mosquito dengue virus, can die during the 'fogging' process.

“With that, efforts to promote gotong-royong programmes need to be given attention, especially in locations identified as high risk,” he said.

The Wolbachia mosquitoes are regular Aedes aegypti mosquitoes that carry a natural, safe bacteria called Wolbachia, which blocks them from spreading dangerous viruses like dengue, Zika, and chikungunya.