Malaysia has recorded a sharp 66 per cent increase in dengue cases this year, with 65,979 infections reported up to Epidemiological Week 35, compared with 39,616 during the same period in 2025.
Unity Government spokesman Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil said the worsening dengue situation was among the issues discussed at the Cabinet meeting in Putrajaya today.
He said dengue-related deaths had also nearly doubled, rising from 32 cases during the same period last year to 62 this year — an increase of 93.8 per cent.
“The Cabinet was briefed on the status of the dengue problem, which showed a marked increase compared with the previous year,” said Fahmi, who is also Communications Minister, during a press briefing following the meeting.
In response to the surge, the Cabinet discussed measures including gotong-royong programmes to tackle mosquito breeding grounds, particularly in areas classified as red zones or experiencing outbreaks.
Fahmi said the Housing and Local Government Ministry (KPKT) would coordinate the programmes, which are expected to begin in the coming months.
The Cabinet was also briefed on the Wolbachia mosquito programme in Putrajaya, which Fahmi said had shown positive results in controlling dengue.
However, he said fogging posed a challenge as the insecticide could also kill Wolbachia-carrying mosquitoes, potentially undermining the programme.
Wolbachia-carrying Aedes aegypti mosquitoes contain a naturally occurring bacteria that prevents the dengue virus from reproducing effectively, reducing their ability to spread dengue and other viruses such as Zika and chikungunya.
Fahmi said greater emphasis should therefore be placed on community clean-up efforts, particularly in high-risk areas, as part of efforts to curb the dengue surge.
