Deputy director-general (Public Health) Dr Norhayati Rusli said one death due to dengue fever complications was also reported during the week.

She said the cumulative number of dengue cases reported from Jan 1 is 33,325 compared to 10,954 in the corresponding period last year, an increase of 204.2%.

“A total of 21 deaths were also reported compared to five during the same period in 2022,” she said in a statement today.

Norhayati said dengue hotspot localities also increased to 109 from 93, with Selangor topping the list (59), followed by Penang (25), Sabah (10), Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya (six), Kedah (four), Perak (three), and one each in Sarawak and Labuan.

For chikungunya surveillance, three cases were reported during the week, taking the cumulative figure to date to 117.

As for Zika surveillance, a total of 795 blood samples and four urine samples were screened, and the results were all negative.

Norhayati reminded the public to discard all containers that can hold water and become breeding grounds for Aedes mosquitoes during the long holiday in conjunction with Aidilfitri.

She also advised the public to use repellents to protect against mosquito bites, especially when going outdoors, and seek immediate treatment if experiencing dengue symptoms such as sudden high fever, muscle or joint pain, headache and pain behind the eyes.