Malaysia raises health alert on dengue

Records released by the ministry showed 3,211 dengue cases were reported with eight deaths nationwide during January 4-17. The figures were double the 1,514 cases and four deaths recorded in the same period last year.

 "It is worrying. This is not the responsibility of the Health Ministry alone. The cooperation that we are getting is not good enough to make the measures more effective," Health Minister Liow Tiong Lai was quoted as saying by the Star daily.

 In 2008, a total of 49,335 cases were recorded, with 112 deaths.

 The symptoms of dengue, which is carried by the aedes mosquito, include high fever, rashes, headaches, and muscle and joint pain. If not detected and treated early, the disease can be fatal.

 The government has been holding campaigns to educate the public as well as conduct checks for mosquito-breeding sites on residential and construction sites to try to stem dengue cases.

 Despite the efforts, the number of cases and deaths continues to rise each year.//dpa