Dengue epidemic to hit Malaysia this year

Kuala Lumpur, The Gulf Observer: A dengue fever epidemic will hit Malaysia this year and cases are expected to peak next year to 2025, experts reportedly warn.

The phenomenon is due to a “cyclical transmission of dengue fever” that occurs every three to five years, public health expert and epidemiologist professor Datuk Dr Lokman Hakim Sulaiman told the New Sunday Times.

“Based on observations over the past three decades, severe dengue outbreaks occur every four to five years.“Last year was the beginning of the next major outbreak, which I predict will peak between this year and 2025,” he was quoted as saying.

Dengue epidemic to hit Malaysia this year, cases to peak in 2024 and 2025

The cycle is caused by the prevalent dengue serotype, Universiti Malaya’s epidemiologist and health informatician professor Datuk Dr Awang Bulgiba Awang Mahmud reportedly explained.There are four serotypes of the virus that causes dengue fever (DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3 and DENV-4). All four are found in Malaysia.

Immunity to a serotype is gained through infection, but a person is still vulnerable to other serotypes. Cases will decrease as immunity builds up to one serotype.“However, this downtrend is not permanent, and an uptrend is likely with a new serotype,” Dr Awang Bulgiba was quoted as saying.

He also reportedly spoke on the newly developed Qdenga vaccine by Tokyo-based pharmaceutical company Takeda, saying that it should be trialled before any decisions are made on its use to vaccinate the population.