SHAH ALAM – It is almost impossible to believe that something as small as a mosquito can take a life.
Yet, in Malaysia, dengue, a disease spread by the Aedes mosquito, continues to do just that, claiming lives that doctors say are entirely preventable.
Celebrity doctor Dr Shazril Shaharuddin, widely known as Dr Say, has urged Malaysians not to let their guard down, reminding the public that dengue remains a real and present danger.
"One of the unforeseen deaths in the world of medicine is the death caused by dengue. If you don’t know, dengue is still around us," he said in a recent awareness video.
According to the Health Ministry, nearly 28,000 dengue cases were recorded across the country from January to June 2025, resulting in 16 deaths.
Dr Say described each of these deaths as ‘avoidable’, noting that every fatal case triggers what hospitals call a mortality meeting.
In this formal review, medical teams discuss what went wrong and how future deaths can be prevented.
"A death caused by dengue is a death that should not happen," he added.
No Cure, Only Supportive Care
Dengue, caused by the dengue virus transmitted through the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito, currently has no specific cure or antiviral treatment. Management focuses on supportive care, mainly hydration, fever control and close monitoring.
"Maybe there are people out there who don't know that there is no medicine for dengue.
“The treatment is mostly hydration and anyone who has ever had dengue fever knows the body aches, the nerve pain, the headache, the pain behind the eyes, and the high fever," he said.
Despite a slight drop in cases compared to past years, Dr Say warned that complacency is dangerous. "Just because it’s not as widespread as before doesn’t mean we can take it lightly,” he added.
Prevention Starts at Home
For Dr Say, the best weapon against dengue remains prevention. He encouraged Malaysians to take simple but consistent steps to eliminate mosquito breeding grounds.
"Once a week, check around your house: is there any leaking water? Any stagnant water in flower pots or children’s toys at the back of the house? Clean it up,” he said.
He also outlined three key preventive practices that can make a difference:
Use aerosol sprays to kill mosquitoes, especially during the Aedes mosquito’s active hours, which are 6am to 8am and 6pm to 8pm.
Use liquid electric repellents, not to kill mosquitoes, but to protect yourself indoors.
Use mosquito coils for outdoor protection when you’re camping, picnicking, or simply spending time outside.
Dengue, which affects thousands of Malaysians every year, thrives in urban environments where standing water is common.
The Aedes mosquito breeds in even the smallest amount of water, such as bottle caps, flower pots, or clogged drains, making household vigilance crucial.
"We can prevent dengue deaths if we fight this together. Protect yourself and your family from Aedes mosquitoes. Share this awareness so that people don’t forget how dangerous dengue can be," he added.