23,630 dengue cases nationwide within two months

Dengue fever cases continue to rise with 23,630 cases recorded nationwide as at Feb 28, compared with 16,053 cases for the corresponding period last year, said Deputy Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Yahaya.

"Dengue deaths also increased to 62 from 29 during the period with Selangor recording 34 deaths and Selangor alone had 13,866 cases, Perak 2,552 cases followed by Johor, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya," he told reporters after launching a state level Price Reduction Campaign here Sunday.

He said Penang was the fifth highest with 1,093 cases and two deaths reported as of Saturday, compared to 371 cases in the corresponding period last year.

Meanwhile, Hilmi advised the public to reduce outdoor activities during the dry weather to avoid the risk of heat stroke.

During dry weather conditions people need to drink sufficient plain water to offset the loss of body fluid and to prevent dehydration that could have an adverse effect on health, he said.

"It is also good to drink coconut water as it is a natural isotonic beverage and has the same electrolyte balance as the fluid in our body," he added.