Malaysia: ‘More dengue cases expected next month’

New Straits Times 4 oct 14;

KUALA TERENGGANU: As of Sept 30, the number of reported deaths from dengue stood at 149 nationwide, compared with 48 deaths in the same period last year.

Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam said the number of dengue cases nationwide had also increased, with 77,527 cases recorded in the same period compared with 23,099 cases last year.

Selangor topped the list with 38,029 cases, followed by Kelantan (13,096 cases) and Johor (4,348 cases). In the same period last year, Selangor had also led the charts with 11,058 cases, followed by Johor (2,995 cases), Putrajaya (1,640 cases) and Terengganu (1,045 cases).

Dr Subramaniam said the number of dengue cases nationwide wereexpected to increase, based on changes in weather conditions.

“Based on past experience, we know that the alternating dry and wet spells lead to the breeding of Aedes mosquitoes,” he said after inspecting the recently-completed Sultanah Nur Zahirah Hospital (HSNZ) maternity centre yesterday.

Present were state Health Director Datuk Dr Anwa Sulaiman and state Health Department senior officers.

On the progress of the Institute for Medical Research’s (IMR) study into papaya leaf extract, touted as a potential cure for dengue as it could help increase the blood-platelet count, Dr Subramaniam said the study was in the preliminary stages.