Malaysia: ‘Like the rising number of COVID-19 infections, dengue cases are also rising’

By NewsDesk @bactiman63

Health officials in Malaysia are reminding people not to forget the dengue fever situation in the country, while all eyes are on the COVID-19 outbreak.

Through Tuesday, Malaysia health officials report 38,240 dengue fever cases, including 63 deaths, with Selangor state accounting for more than 23,000 cases, followed by Johor and Kuala Lumpur.

In 2019, Malaysia reported more than 80,000 cases and 147 deaths.

“Right now, while we are busy fighting COVID-19, people are starting to forget how dangerous dengue is,” Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia public health specialist Rozita Hod said.

Like the rising number of COVID-19 infections, dengue cases are also rising, Dr Rozita said.

Although there have been more coronavirus deaths in Malaysia than dengue fatalities so far this year, dengue should not be taken lightly as it had directly affected more people than COVID-19, she added.

To date, Malaysia has recorded 5,482 cases of COVID-19, including 92 deaths.



