KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 7 (AFP) - Malaysia warned Friday of a possible dengue epidemic in the capital Kuala Lumpur and three other states in coming months after the number of infections in the country more than doubled.
Health Minister Chua Soi Lek said authorities had detected a sudden increase last month with the average number of dengue cases in the country jumping to about 1,000 cases a week from 450 previously, especially in Kuala Lumpur and the states of Selangor, Penang and Pahang.
"The increase is obvious in the four states," he was quoted as saying by Bernama news agency after visiting a hospital in northeast Terengganu state.
"This is a signal that we will be faced with an outbreak of the disease in these states."
Chua said 14,186 premises had been fined and 59 people brought to court after mosquitoes were found breeding in their compound.
Authorities have stepped up measures such as fogging and destroying mosquito-infested areas but he appealed for cooperation from Malaysians to check their premises frequently as the current rainy season has boosted mosquito breeding.
Dengue is a debilitating mosquito-borne disease usually associated with poor tropical countries. Symptoms include high fever, severe headache and muscle pain, rashes and nausea. It usually lasts about two weeks after infection and can be fatal if treatment is delayed.
01/07/2005 08:59 GMT - AFP