eDenguev2 Database: Factors associated with the occurrence of dengue hotspot localities in the Selangor State in 2022

The dengue outbreak in Selangor, Malaysia, has been a significant concern in recent years. Selangor has reported the highest number of dengue cases in the country, with over 22,000 cases in 2023 alone. The outbreak in Selangor has been overwhelming, and the outbreak was divided into controlled outbreaks, uncontrolled outbreaks, and hotspots according to the onset of the outbreak. Multiple factors have contributed to the occurrence of dengue hotspots in Selangor. This study aims to determine the factors associated with the occurrence of dengue hotspot localities in Selangor for the year 2022.

This is a cross-sectional study among dengue outbreak localities in Selangor that utilized data from the eDenguev2 database from the Selangor State Health Department for the year 2022. Data collection and analysis were conducted from April 2024 until June 2024. The first (index) case from each dengue outbreak localities of controlled outbreak and hotspot localities in Selangor for 2022 were identified and analyzed to determine the factors associated with the occurrence of hotspot localities.

391 (14%) out of 2751 dengue outbreak localities as hotspot localities. According to the demographic analysis of patients in these hotspot localities, the majority were adults aged 26-35 years old (24.04%), with a mean age of 33 years. The majority were female (57.30%), employed (58.57%), Malaysian nationals (93.09%), and of Malay ethnicity (62.15%). Geographically, the Petaling District reported a significant portion of hotspot localities (40.4%). A large number of cases originated in strata housing (67.8%) and urban areas (93.5%), with a delay of more than 48 hours for the commencement of source elimination activities. Notably, most hotspot areas did not have any possible breeding sites (99.2%), had low entomological parameters: Aedes Index (AI), Bruteu Index (BI), and Container Index (CI), and there were no delays in reporting cases, investigating them, verifying them, and registering them. The occurrence of hotspot localities was significantly associated with cases originating from urban areas, with a p-value of 0.048 and an adjusted odds ratio (aOR) of 2.343 (95% CI: 1.006, 5.456).

Urban areas are significantly more likely to become a hotspot for dengue outbreaks. Public health implications highlight the need for urban-focused.