He said the situation was worrying as 4,812 cases were recorded up to the 42nd week of this year compared to only 1,336 in the same period last year.

Safar said five deaths from dengue fever had been recorded so far, three in Sandakan and one each in Papar and Tawau.

Sandakan was among the five districts with the highest number of dengue cases at 1,394; followed by Kota Kinabalu (1,155), Tawau (387), Lahad Datu (349) and Putatan (344),” he said in a statement today.

He said a total of 74 active outbreak localities were recorded throughout Sabah. These involved seven districts, namely Sandakan, Kota Kinabalu, Tawau, Lahad Datu, Kudat, Penampang and Pitas.

He advised the people to always take measures such as cleaning their homes and surroundings, spraying aerosol insecticide, regularly using mosquito repellant and scrubbing water catchment containers once a week.