Statistics released by the state health department showed that 5,107 dengue cases were reported from January to June 27 compared to 5,142 previously.

“The decrease of 35 cases is not significant. Instead, there has been an increase in the number of deaths,” Health and Environment Committee chairman R Vidyananthan said.

In a statement, he said as many as 34 new dengue outbreak localities had been reported, bringing the number of active outbreak localities to 91.

Vidyananthan said Johor Bahru recorded the highest number of cases with 80.2%, followed by Kulai (3.9%), Kluang (3.7%), Segamat (3.3%) and Batu Pahat (2.4%).

He said the main contributing factors included the lack of environmental hygiene, especially the improper disposal of garbage, which provided potential breeding grounds for the Aedes mosquito.

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