Malaysia is mounting a dengue eradication campaign ahead of Visit Malaysia Year in 2007, after a recent spike in cases, Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak said in a report today.

Free larvicide will be distributed to schools and homes in a bid to curb outbreaks that could deter tourists, Najib told the Star newspaper, after cases jumped to 800 per week from normal levels of 400 per week.

"It is essential that Kuala Lumpur and the Klang Valley in general are seen as clean and free from any dengue outbreak," he said.

Tourism is Malaysia's second-largest foreign exchange earner and the government is targeting 20.1 million visitors in 2007 who would generate US$12 billion in revenue.

Malaysia hopes to attract 17.5 million tourists this year, up from 16.4 million tourists in 2005.