Dengue fever has claimed 54 lives in 2002, with 10,753 confirmed cases reported nationwide, according to a senior health official.

"Malaysia is currently experiencing an increase in the number of cases compared to 2001, but it has not reached the epidemic stage," S Sothinathan, health ministry parliament secretary told AFP.

In 2001, Malaysia posted 50 deaths and reported 8,669 dengue cases.

Sothinathan attributed the rise in deaths to the current situation where Malaysia was facing intermittent rainfalls and hot weather which encourages mosquito breeding.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) had issued an alert about five months ago warning all countries in the tropical region including Malaysia to be prepared for an increase in the number of dengue cases in view of present weather conditions, he said.

Media campaign

DAP chairperson Lim Kit Siang had urged the government to declare a nationwide alert.

Lim urged the government to immediately launch a media campaign to boost national awareness and curb the loss of any more lives. Children have suffered more fatalities than in previous years.

Malaysia, a tropical country, experiences frequent rainfall ideal for the Aedes mosquito which carries the dengue disease, to breed.

Sothinathan said that firm action would be taken against offenders who fail to clean their surroundings, especially construction sites which are favourite breeding grounds for the critters.

In September, Kuala Lumpur and four states were put on dengue alert following an alarming surge in cases.

Characterised by painful joints, fever and a rash, dengue symptoms usually begin within a week of a bite from a carrier mosquito. AFP