Dengue fever hits 19,367 in Malaysia

Dengue fever claimed lives and infected 22 percent of people in Malaysia, reaching 19,367 cases of infections since the beginning of 2013, till September 5. Malaysian Deputy Health Minister Dr Helmi Yahya said in press remarks on Tuesday that Dengue infection cases remarkably increased this year in Malaysia, hitting 19,637, compared to 15,118 in 2012, while the death toll went up this year to reach 39, compared to 27 in 2012. The Malaysian Ministry of Health launched a series of campaigns to fight Aedes bug, which is the main cause behind Dengue fever, with the first campaign in July 8, and the second in August 20. Dengue Fever also known as breakbone fever is an infectious tropical disease caused by the dengue virus. Symptoms include fever, headache, muscle and joint pains, and a characteristic skin rash that is similar to measles. Aedes bug is located in The humid tropical climate regions, spread in northern Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Philippines.