Malaysia Reports 66 Percent Surge in Dengue Cases as Cabinet Intensifies Prevention Efforts

PUTRAJAYA, Sept 9 – Malaysia has recorded a sharp 66 per cent surge in dengue fever cases as of epidemiological week 35 this year, reaching 65,979 cases compared to 39,616 recorded during the corresponding period last year. Communications Minister and MADANI Government spokesperson Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil revealed the alarming update during a weekly press conference following a Cabinet briefing on the outbreak.

Highlighting a significant increase in fatalities, Fahmi stated, “Meanwhile, the cumulative number of deaths from dengue fever up to epidemiological week 35 in 2025 stood at 32, while in the same period in 2026, the figure was 62, representing an increase of 93.8 per cent.”

To combat the rising numbers, the Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT) will roll out intensive, large-scale community clean-up initiatives across affected regions over the coming months. Fahmi emphasized that “at the same time, one of the matters discussed was the need to intensify efforts to organise large-scale gotong-royong activities, including in areas identified as red zones or where outbreaks have occurred.”

The Cabinet was also updated on biological control measures, specifically the Wolbachia-infected Aedes mosquito breeding initiative deployed in areas such as Putrajaya. While mosquitoes carrying Wolbachia inhibit dengue virus replication to suppress transmission, Fahmi noted an operational challenge between biological control and conventional pest management. “When fogging is carried out, the Wolbachia mosquitoes are also killed. So, that is one of the matters that was highlighted,” he explained.

–NMT