Public advised to be cautious of dengue symptoms

The Health Ministry today advised the public to be cautious of the symptoms of dengue as there is a tendency for the number of cases to increase after the festive season.

Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said those having fever, muscle, bone and joint pain, rashes, pain behind the eyes and headache should seek immediate treatment.

A more serious symptoms would include stomachache, vomitting, restlessness, fatigue and bleeding from the nose or gum, he added.

"Those having the symptoms should seek immediate treatment at the clinic or hospital as early detection and treatment can save lives," he said in a statement here today.

Dr Noor Hisham said there was an increasing trend in dengue fever cases in the country since the past one month.

He said for the week between last June 26 to July 2 (26th week), a total of 2,017 dengue fever cases were reported nationwide, an increase of 13.5 per cent from 1,777 cases the previous week.

"There were 10 death due to dengue during the 26th week, bringing the death toll for this year until July 2 to 132, a drop of 20 per cent from 165 death during the corresponding period last year," he added.

He said nine states showed an increase in dengue cases, namely Selangor (recording an increase of 22.2 per cent), Pahang (69.6 per cent), Kelantan (45.7 per cent), Penang (40.9 per cent), Perak (13.6 per cent), Sarawak (13.3 per cent), Kedah (13.5 per cent), Perlis (5 per cent) and Johor (1.2 per cent).

The cumulative number of dengue cases reported this year as of July 2 is 57,782, from 59,365 during the corresponding period last year, a drop of 2.7 per cent, he added.

On the Zika virus disease, Dr Noor Hisham said no case involving the virus had been detected in Malaysia so far.