As of mid-October, a total of 153 fatal dengue cases were recorded nationwide, as compared to 55 deaths during the same period last year.

Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said there was also a huge spike in the number of dengue fever cases in the same period.

He said 80,578 cases were recorded as compared to 25,119 cases in the same period last year.

"Last week, four dengue-related deaths were reported, one each in Sabah, Kuala Lumpur, Johor and Perak. All victims were confirmed to have died from dengue fever complications," he said in a statement Saturday.

He said the ministry had identified 113 dengue fever hotspots in the country, with 65 cases in Selangor, Kelantan (45) and one each in Sarawak, Sabah and Perak.

"The ministry's record showed that 82,747 premises were inspected. Of the number, 1,186 premises were found to be breeding aedes mosquito last week," he added.

Among the aedes mosquito breeding areas detected were graveyards, construction sites, vacant land, places of workship, rubbish disposal sites, schools, recreational grounds, government offices and factories.

Meanwhile, in Kota Baharu, the number of dengue fever cases recorded at Raja Perempuan Zainab II Hospital (HRPZ II) fell drastically from 180 cases a day in August to 50 cases daily in the last two weeks.

Hospital director Datuk Dr Ghazali Hasni Md Hassan said the falling trend was seen as a positive sign of the joint efforts from various parties to eradicate the disease.

"Currently, Kota Baharu district still has the highest number of dengue cases, followed by Tumpat," he told reporters after a Dementia Awareness Charity Run at the Psychiatric and Mental Health Department on Saturday.