Attachments
Until October 2023, the number of dengue cases surged by 100.5 per cent, totaling 96,443 cases cumulatively, a signicant increase from the 48,109 cases reported in 2022. In 2022, Malaysia documented roughly 64,078 dengue fever cases nationwide, 26,365 cases in 2021, and 90,304 cases in 2020. Regarding fatalities, a total of 73 deaths from dengue-related complications were recorded by 22 October 2023, compared to 29 deaths during the same period in 2022. In October 2023, daily cases averaged above 300. Currently, there are 73 dengue hotspot localities nationwide, with Selangor state hosting the highest number of hotspots (51), while other states have single-digit counts. Selangor's Petaling and Hulu Langat districts record the most cases, and within Petaling, the top three aected sub-districts are Petaling (5,570), Damansara (4,930), and Sungai Buloh (4,160).
According to the Ministry of Health (MoH), a surge in dengue fever cases is anticipated by year-end, based on the trend over the last decade. Typically, these surges peak every four to ve years, attributed to shifts in dominant serotypes in a specic area, with the last peak occurring in 2019 .
The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) has forecasted increased rainfall in the upcoming weeks due to the monsoon season. This uptick in rainfall might escalate dengue cases from December 2023 to March 2024, creating more breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
Scope and Scale
Malaysia continues to grapple with a high burden of dengue fever cases. Reported cases have consistently risen over the years, marked by periodic outbreaks. Urban areas with high population densities bear the brunt of these outbreaks. Dengue outbreaks typically coincide with the rainy season, when mosquito breeding sites are more abundant. However, sporadic outbreaks occur throughout the year. The primary culprits for dengue transmission are the Aedes mosquitoes, notably the Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus species. Controlling their population and reducing breeding sites poses a signicant challenge.
Presently, there are 73 dengue hotspot locations nationwide, with Selangor state housing the most hotspots (51), while other states have single-digit counts. The Petaling and Hulu Langat districts in Selangor report the highest number of cases. Among the sub-districts, the top three aected are all in Petaling, with substantial cumulative cases in Petaling (5,570), Damansara (4,930), and Sungai Buloh (4,160). The latest daily cases in Petaling, Selangor, stand at 157.
Outbreaks near migrant workers' residences have stemmed from haphazard waste disposal, resulting in clogged drainage systems due to accumulated plastics and discarded bottles. This emphasizes the signicant role migrant workers' living conditions play in Dengue's prevalence. Health inspections conrmed that migrant workers contracted the disease within their residential quarters, with two individuals getting infected at construction sites. There's a crucial need for heightened environmental health awareness among the migrant population.
The ongoing dengue outbreak in Malaysia holds substantial humanitarian implications aecting individuals, communities, and the healthcare system. It strains healthcare resources, causing shortages in medical supplies, hospital beds, and medical personnel.
This increases the risk of severe dengue patients receiving inadequate or delayed treatment, potentially leading to higher mortality rates. Families grappling with dengue infections often face substantial medical expenses and missed work due to hospitalizations, particularly aecting disadvantaged households' ability to provide basic necessities like food and education for their children. Moreover, epidemics disrupt children's education, leading to extended absences due to illness and decreased school attendance. Reduced worker productivity due to dengue also impacts the nation's economic output. Dengue-aected individuals and families undergo immense mental distress, fearing severe consequences, especially vulnerable groups like the elderly, pregnant women, and those with underlying medical conditions who are more prone to severe dengue.
The operation aims to target highly urban poor areas within the Petaling district of Selangor State, which have the highest dengue cases. These areas, characterized by high population densities, consist of B40 families (the lower-income group in Malaysia) and include migrant populations.
The operation's main focus will be supporting the MoH at the community level to enhance public awareness and early case detection through health promotion, Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE), and empowering communities for collective village cleaning eorts (community "gotong royong"). The MoH projects that daily dengue cases in Petaling could hit 500 in mid-December, necessitating an escalated response in vector control and patient care activities. MRCS will closely coordinate with the MoH to provide necessary support as required.