Malaysia Records 27pc Rise in Dengue Cases as Sabah Sees Sharpest Increase
KOTA KINABALU: Malaysia has recorded a significant rise in dengue infections this year, with total cases increasing by 27 per cent nationwide, while Sabah has emerged as one of the states hardest hit by the mosquito-borne disease.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dzulkefly Ahmad said 33,367 dengue cases were reported across the country as of June 13, compared with 27,640 cases during the same period last year.
Although the increase remains within the expected cyclical trend of dengue outbreaks, he stressed that the public should remain vigilant and continue taking preventive measures.
The situation in Sabah is more alarming, with the state recording 2,866 cases as of Epidemiological Week 23, representing a sharp increase of 50.4 per cent compared with 1,905 cases during the corresponding period in 2025.
Dzulkefly said several districts have been identified as major contributors to the state’s dengue burden, including Kota Kinabalu, Kota Marudu, Tawau, Sandakan, Penampang and Putatan.
“We know that dengue cases tend to rise in cycles every four to five years, and the current increase falls within that expected pattern.
“However, we must not become complacent because dengue remains a serious public health threat,” he told reporters after officiating the national-level Asean Dengue Day, World Malaria Day and Mega Gotong-Royong programme held in conjunction with the 2026 National Healthy Malaysia Agenda (ANMS) Roadshow in Manggatal today.
Apart from the cyclical trend, Dzulkefly said the Health Ministry has also identified changes in the circulating dengue virus strains as another factor behind the increase in infections.
He explained that the DEN-3 sub-variant has now become the dominant strain in circulation and is believed to be contributing to the recent surge in cases.
“Besides the cyclical pattern, we are also observing changes in the dengue virus variants.
“At present, DEN-3 is the dominant sub-variant and this shift may influence how the disease spreads within communities,” he said.
The minister said the ministry is taking proactive measures to address the situation and is introducing new strategies aimed at improving public participation in dengue prevention.
Among the initiatives is the Dengue-Free Community programme, known as Kombat, which adopts the Behavioural Insights (BI) approach.
The strategy combines elements of behavioural economics and psychology to better understand how people make decisions and how they can be encouraged to adopt healthier habits.
According to Dzulkefly, one of the biggest challenges in dengue prevention is that awareness alone does not necessarily translate into action.
“People may know what they should do, but knowledge by itself is not enough.
“We need to create conditions that encourage positive behavioural changes and make it easier for communities to take preventive action,” he said.
The Behavioural Insights approach focuses on subtle interventions or ‘nudges’ designed to motivate individuals and communities to adopt healthier practices without relying solely on enforcement.
Dzulkefly said the Kombat programme is built around three major pillars: environmental interventions, community empowerment and a whole-of-society approach.
The ministry is also strengthening entomological surveillance, which involves monitoring mosquito populations and identifying breeding hotspots before outbreaks occur.
He stressed that dengue prevention cannot depend entirely on government agencies and requires active participation from local communities.
According to him, negligence in maintaining clean surroundings and eliminating mosquito breeding sites remains one of the biggest obstacles in controlling dengue transmission.
“We want communities to become part of the solution.
“Dengue prevention starts at home and within neighbourhoods. If everyone plays their role, we can significantly reduce the risk of outbreaks,” he said.
Dzulkefly also urged Malaysians to make cleanliness a daily habit and to seek medical attention immediately if they experience prolonged fever or symptoms associated with dengue, as early treatment remains crucial in preventing severe complications.
