KUALA LUMPUR, 29 July 2009: A 77-year-old man from Sipitang, Sabah, and a 45-year-old female teacher from Ampang, Selangor were reported to have died of dengue.
Health Director-General Tan Sri Dr Mohd Ismail Merican said the two patients had suffered from haemorrhagic dengue fever and dengue shock syndrome, and died on 17 July.
A probe into their living surroundings showed dengue breeding to be far above the normal level, he said in a statement here today.
However, the overall number of dengue cases recorded a drop, with 528 reported in week 29 (week ending 25 July), compared with 615 cases in week 28 (ending 18 July). On a state-by-state basis, only Sabah and Selangor recorded an increase in cases, Ismail said.
The total number of cases this year was 26,974 with 66 deaths, compared with 24,726 cases with 61 deaths for the corresponding period last year, he added.
As for chikungunya, Ismail said 38 cases were reported in week 29, one case fewer than in week 28.
“Only Kelantan showed an increase in cases: two in week 28, but eight in week 29. No deaths have been reported thus far,” Ismail said. — Bernama
