The number of dengue fever cases in the country rose 66 per cent to 65,979 as of epidemiological week 35 this year, compared with 39,616 cases recorded during the same period last year.
Communications Minister and MADANI Government spokesperson Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil said the increase was among the matters presented to the Cabinet during a briefing on the latest status of dengue fever cases today.
“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,” he said at the weekly press conference after the Cabinet meeting here.
Fahmi said as a preventive measure, the Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT) would carry out large-scale gotong-royong programmes over the next few months as part of efforts to intensify measures to curb the spread of dengue.
“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,” he said.
According to Fahmi, the Cabinet was also briefed on the success of the Wolbachia-infected Aedes mosquito breeding programme, including its implementation in Putrajaya.
He added that Aedes mosquitoes carrying Wolbachia were able to inhibit the reproduction of the dengue virus, thereby reducing the virus’s ability to spread.
However, he said fogging activities could have an impact on the programme.
“When fogging is carried out, the Wolbachia mosquitoes are also killed. So, that is one of the matters that was highlighted,” he said.
