Kuala Lumpur - Malaysia has seen 18 deaths so far this year from dengue fever, more than double the number from same period of 2008, the Health Ministry said Friday.

A total of 7,900 people have been infected with the mosquito-borne virus from January 1 to Friday, Health Ministry Director General Ismail Merican was quoted as saying by the Star newspaper.

In 2008, a total of 4,758 cases and seven deaths were recorded in the same period, Merican said.

He added that as of February 14, there had been 37 dengue hotspots that had yet to be brought under control, compared with 39 the previous week.

Malaysia continues to see a steady rise in dengue victims every year despite increased efforts by the government to educate the public on the need to keep cleaner grounds and conduct checks and fogging at suspected mosquito-breeding areas.

Merican said the government's goal is to decrease the number of dengue cases by 10 per cent every year.

It blamed a rapid increase in public apathy and ignorance on the nature of the disease-carrying aedes mosquito, which carries the disease.

In 2008, a total of 49,335 cases were recorded with 112 deaths.

The symptoms of dengue include high fever, rashes, headaches, and muscle and joint pain. dpa( )