The first week of the new year registered two deaths due to dengue as the number of dengue cases continued to rise compared with the previous week.

dengue malaria mosquito outbreak fogging 290905 The two deaths in the new year raised the number of deaths due to dengue to 90 while 940 cases were reported from Jan 3 to 9, an increase of 60 cases compared with the previous week (876) said Director-General of Health Dr Mohd Ismail Merican in a statement today.

"Although the number of cases was 42 percent lower when compared with the same period last year, the increase must not be taken lightly, especially the people," he said.

He added that the two deaths reported last week were both women, involving a 37 year-old from Bandar Utama, Selangor while the second woman was a 29-year-old from Cheras, Kuala Lumpur.

Mohd Ismail said that there was also a slight increase in the number of Chikungunya cases as 44 such cases were reported, two more than the previous week.

From the 44 cases, reported, 42 were from Sarawak and one each from Selangor and Pahang but no deaths were reported, he said.

- Bernama