PETALING JAYA: Dengue cases nationwide dropped by 35% in the first six months of the year, said Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.

The Health Minister said 32,435 cases were reported from Jan 1 to June 30, compared to 49,726 cases in the same period last year.

Within this period, the number of fatalities due to dengue also dropped by 52% from 110 deaths in 2017 to 53 deaths this year.

Dr Dzulkefly attributed the drop in cases to dengue prevention strategies implemented by the ministry and relevant enforcement parties.

"These strategies have shown positive impact as Malaysia recorded a downward trend in dengue cases and deaths for the past two consecutive years.

"In 2016 and 2017, annual dengue cases decreased by 16% and 17% respectively, while mortality reduced by 29% and 25% of total cases respectively," said Dr Dzulkefly at the Asean Dengue Day 2018 event at the Sekolah Rendah Agama Sungai Kayu Ara here Saturday (July 7).

He also lauded the various initiatives taken to combat the vector-borne disease such as forming the National Dengue Special Task Force in July 2014 and setting up of the Communication for Behavioural Impact (Combi) volunteer teams by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in 2001.

"The ministry has also implemented various other preventive and control measures including using a real time web-based monitoring system, namely eNotifikasi, eDengue, dengue epidemic management system (SPWD) and iDengue for community.

"These digital dengue surveillance system helps the relevant agencies to take prompt action and prevent dengue transmission," said Dr Dzulkefly in his speech.

The event, which was themed "Asean Community Against Dengue", was also attended by Asean representatives in the health sector.