Dengue death toll rises in Malaysia, number of cases doubles

The health ministry says there were 113 deaths from dengue in the first seven months of the year. (AFP pic)

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia saw a rise in deaths caused by dengue to 113 by Aug 3, compared to 70 cases in the same period last year, the health ministry said.

It also said the total number of dengue cases from the start of the year to early August hit 80,000, twice the number of cases in the corresponding period last year.

More than 70% of the cases occurred in urban areas, it said.

Globally, the number of dengue cases dropped in 2017-2018, but there has been a sharp increase in 2019, especially in Australia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Vietnam. - FMT