Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has instructed the Health Ministry to take preventive measures to protect the people from dengue fever and Zika virus.

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He also wanted all parties, including government agencies, non-governmental organisations and the people in general, to join hands in combating Aedes mosquito which was the agent of infection for both diseases.

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READ: Ministry takes steps to prevent spread of Zika virus in Malaysia


"I am aware of the dengue situation in several areas in the country and also the public concerns regarding the alarming spread of Zika virus in many areas in America," he said in the latest posting in his blog NajibRazak.com.

Najib said more rigorous monitoring activity was needed as the country's hot weather was very conducive for the breeding of Aedes mosquitoes.

"We need to prevent and destroy the source or vector of both diseases, that is Aedes mosquitoes. Do not given them any room to breed," he said.

Following the spread of Zika virus, the World Health Organisation (WHO) had declared it as a Public Health Emergency Of International Concern (PHEIC).