The El Nino phenomenon has contributed to the sharp increase in dengue fever cases this year, the Dewan Negara was told.

Deputy Health Minister Rosnah Rashid Shirlin said more mosquito breeding grounds were built up due to plenty of rain and the rise in temperature.

The dengue fever death toll in the country rose by 59 per cent from early January until Dec 11 compared to the corresponding period last year, she said when responding to a question from senator Ng Fook Heng.

Rosnah said dengue fever claimed 132 lives in the country so far this year compared to 83 in the corresponding period last year, while dengue fever cases rose by 15 per cent to 44,641 cases.

However, she said the situation was not as bad as countries like Singapore which registered 3,817 cases, Laos (21,509), Thailand (70,902) and the Philippines (110,235) so far this year - an increase of between 15 and 90.6 per cent.

Meanwhile, Deputy Housing and Local Government Minister Lajim Ukin said local councils could take action against those setting up billboards without using the national language under the by-laws.

The actions include pulling down the advertisements, issuing notices and imposing fines on those involved, he said when answering a question from senator Firdaus Abdullah.

He said a guideline was approved by the Local Government Council in 2008 on actions that could be taken against billboards and the local authority was notified about it through a circular.

"It is up to local councils to take actions deemed fit against those who contravened the by-laws. The ministry does not have the power or clauses to take such actions as the power is vested with the local councils," he added.

- Bernama