Dengue deaths in Malaysia rise more than 50 per cent in 2010

Dec 31, 2010, 8:19 GMT

Kuala Lumpur - Deaths from the mosquito-borne dengue virus rose 54 per cent in Malaysia this year, a newspaper reported Friday.

A total of 134 people died from the disease this year, compared with 87 in 2009, health department director general Ismail Merican was quoted as saying by the Star newspaper.

The government also recorded a rise in the number of dengue cases with 45,901 reported in 2010 compared with 41,006 the year before, he said.

Ismail urged the public to conduct community cleanups to rid their homes and surrounding areas of mosquito breeding grounds, adding that the current rainy spell made it easier for the dengue-carrying Aedes mosquitoes to multiply.

'The public must seek early treatment if they discover any dengue symptoms,' he was quoted as saying by the Star newspaper.

The Aedes mosquito can breed in clear, stagnant water, and its larvae are often found in discarded water-filled tin cans, rubbish and even in water containers in homes.

The symptoms of dengue include high fever, rashes, headaches, and muscle and joint pain. The disease can be fatal if treatment is not sought in the early stages of infection.

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