Malaysia recorded 33,367 dengue cases as of June 13, 2026, a 20.7 to 27 percent increase compared with the same period last year, according to government sources [1, 2]. The country ranks third in ASEAN for dengue caseloads behind Indonesia, with 39,672 cases, and Vietnam, with 35,986 cases [1]. Malaysia also has the highest dengue incidence rate among ASEAN countries [1].

Dengue-related deaths increased by 43.75%, surging from 16 recorded through mid-June 2025 to 23 reported by the same date in 2026 [1]. Datuk Seri Dzulkefly Ahmad said, "We know that this surge falls within the expected cyclical trend of infections that occurs every four to five years, but we must remain vigilant in dealing with the situation" [2].

The state of Sabah reported 2,866 dengue cases as of June 13, representing a 50.4% jump from 1,905 cases recorded in the same timeframe last year [1, 2]. High transmission districts in Sabah include Kota Kinabalu, Tawau, Sandakan, Penampang, and Putatan, with Malay Mail also naming Kota Marudu as affected [1, 2]. Despite the increase in cases, Sabah recorded zero dengue deaths in 2026 so far, which authorities attribute to effective patient management [1].

The rise in dengue cases has been linked to a shift in the dominant dengue virus serotype to DENV-3 in Malaysia during 2026, which may have contributed to higher transmission rates [1, 2].

Alongside dengue, Malaysia has maintained zero locally transmitted indigenous human malaria cases since 2018, but zoonotic malaria caused by Plasmodium knowlesi remains prevalent. In 2025, zoonotic malaria accounted for 80.55% of the 2,592 total malaria cases recorded nationwide, with 2,088 zoonotic cases reported [1].

Datuk Seri Dzulkefly Ahmad emphasized behavioural change as key to combating dengue, stating, "The nudging strategy is aimed at encouraging behavioural change. People may be aware of what needs to be done, but that alone does not necessarily lead to action. Awareness and literacy are not enough. We need to create conditions that enable people to change, with support from both the federal and state governments" [2].

On June 13, 2026, the National-level ASEAN Dengue Day and National Healthy Malaysia Agenda roadshow were held at Manggatal Community Hall to further raise public awareness and preventive measures [1, 2].