Health director-general Dr Radzi Abu Hassan said two deaths due to complications from dengue fever were also reported during the week.

He said the cumulative number of dengue fever cases reported so far this year increased by 149.6% to 54,139 compared to 21,688 cases for the same period in 2022.

“A total of 39 deaths due to dengue fever complications were reported compared to 15 deaths for the same period in 2022,” he said in a statement.

Radzi said the number of dengue fever hotspots in ME24 increased to 110 compared to 95 in the earlier week.

There were 84 hotspots in Selangor, 14 in Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya, four each in Kedah and Penang, three in Sabah, and one in Perlis.

On surveillance for chikungunya, he said two cases were recorded during the week, bringing the cumulative number this year to 137.

A total of 1,381 blood samples and 69 urine samples were also screened for Zika and the results were all negative.

“Monitoring at the national dengue operations room found that the number of dengue fever cases is high and has the potential to continue to increase if no preventive measures are taken by all parties, including the community.

“As a proactive measure, check every container inside and outside the house and make sure there is no water reservoir for Aedes mosquitoes to breed,” he said.