Kelantan Records Decline In Dengue Cases, Wolbachia Mosquito Release Shows Results

KOTA BHARU, June 20 (Bernama) -- The number of dengue fever cases in Kelantan dropped by 12.5 percent, with 875 cases recorded in the first half of this year compared to 1,000 cases during the same period last year, said State Health director Datuk Dr Zaini Hussin.

However, he noted that the number of dengue outbreaks rose to 66 from 50 in the same period, although no fatalities were reported.

“This year, there have been no dengue hotspot localities in Kelantan. The current trend remains low, with 17 cases reported in epidemiological week 24.

“Kelantan currently ranks ninth among Malaysian states with the highest number of dengue cases,” he told Bernama at the Gotong-Royong Mega Perangi Aedes 1.0 launch and release of Wolbachia-infected Aedes mosquitoes, officiated by state executive councillor for Local Government, Housing, Health and Environment, Hilmi Abdullah.

Dr Zaini also reported that 180,414 premises have been inspected for Aedes mosquito breeding grounds in Kelantan as of mid-June this year, resulting in 501 compounds issued, amounting to RM250,000.

He said a total of 73,900 Wolbachia-infected Aedes mosquitoes have been released in Pondok Terusan, Pasir Tumboh, and Kubur Maras, Kota Bharu in 2021, and in Bandar Baru Kubang Kerian today.

He noted that no dengue cases have been reported in Pondok Terusan since the release, compared to 134 cases over the previous five years.

“In Kubur Maras, only two dengue cases have been recorded, one each in 2023 and 2024, compared to 81 cases in the five years before 2021,” he said.

Dr Zaini added that the Ministry of Health (MOH) has spent an estimated RM705,500 over the past four years on dengue control efforts in Pondok Terusan and Kubur Maras.

He also said that since 2019, MOH has implemented Wolbachia mosquito release operations in 45 localities across Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Johor, Penang, Kelantan, Pahang, Melaka and Negeri Sembilan.

-- BERNAMA