A total of 1,503 dengue cases were reported from January till April 11 in Penang, an increase of 921 cases or 158.25 per cent compared to the 582 cases recorded during the same period last year.

The state executive councillor in charge Dr Afif Bahardin in a statement here on Wednesday said there were five dengue fatalities during that period, as compared to three fatalities last year.

He added that the worst dengue hot spots were Flat Sri Bayu and Bandar Baru Teluk Kumbar in the Barat Daya district.