Dengue deaths up 151% in 2013, says Health Director General

Ana Ghoib Syeikh Malaya 5:34 PTG
Malaysia: Dengue fever killed 88 people up to December 21 this year, an increase of 151% from the 35 fatal cases during the same period last year, said the Director-General of Health, Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah report TMI.

Except for Terengganu and the Federal Territory of Labuan, the other states had reported fatalities with Selangor reporting the highest figure of 24 fatal cases, followed by Johor with 21 fatalities, said Dr Noor Hisham.

As for the other states, Melaka had nine fatalities; Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya (8); Penang (7); Perak, Sarawak and Sabah had four each; Kelantan and Pahang (two each); while Perlis, Kedah and Negeri Sembilan had one death each.

He said the rise in dengue cases had been significant in 12 states compared with last year, which included Melaka with 229%; Johor (191%); Selangor (152%); Negeri Sembilan (100%); Perak (42%), Labuan (40%); Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya (39%); Penang (31%); and Perlis (30%).

He said a total of 41,226 cases were reported up to December 21 throughout the country, a jump of 92% or 19,782 cases, compared with the 21,444 cases reported during the same period last year. – Bernama

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