Malaysia : National dengue alert

Via The Sun, excerpt :

" The dengue fever and dengue hemorrhagic fever situation is worsening nationwide, with the number of cases hitting 9,453 and 17 deaths, all within the first 37 days of this year.

For the same period last year, the figures were only 2,559 cases and five deaths.

Expressing concern, Deputy Director-General of Health (Public Health) Datuk Dr Lokman Hakim Sulaiman said today: "Dengue is not only a big issue in Malaysia but also globally, as countries worldwide are experiencing an increase in deaths and cases and this is very worrying."

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), dengue cases has grown dramatically around the world in recent decades. Over 2.5 billion people – more than 40% of the world's population – are now at risk from dengue and WHO currently estimates that there may be 50 million to 100 million dengue infections worldwide every year.

Lokman said the ministry has intensified its efforts to contain the outbreak but added that the public also needs to play an important role by keeping their houses and surroundings clean and free of mosquito breeding grounds."