Malaysia's Dengue Outbreak Continues, While Thailand Takes Prevention Action

Dengue fever is endemic in most countries in Southeast Asia and continues to pose a significant public health threat in tropical regions, including Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand. 

Since a recent Dengue fever outbreak began in Malaysia in late 2022, 13 states and three federal territories have been impacted.

According to the World Health Organization, Malaysia confirmed 122,423 Dengue cases and 117 related fatalities in 2024, a 17% increase from the number recorded in 2023.

Without widespread access to a Dengue prevention vaccine, the mosquito-transmitted disease continued to spread in Malaysia in 2025.

Recent data published by the Dengue For Community Portal indicate that Taman Mawar - Sendang was last week's Dengue hotspot, reporting 158 new cases.

Unlike Malaysia, Thailand recently launched a vaccination campaign to eliminate the disease burden on the population and the healthcare system. A large-scale study was launched in April 2025 in Nakhon Phanom province, involving 35,000 children.

Approved by the National Communicable Disease Committee, the clinical trial aims to assess the effectiveness of the QDENGA live-attenuated dengue vaccine, which has already received clearance from Thailand's Food and Drug Administration.

Local media reported on June 10, 2025, that Dr. Panumas Yanawetsakul, Director General of the Department of Disease Control, stated the trial would span three years, after which the vaccine could be added to Thailand's universal healthcare scheme.

If approved, Thailand would join over 30 countries that offer Takeda's QDENGA in 2025.

As of June 2025, QDENGA is not offered in the United States.