VIENTIANE, May 25 (Xinhua) -- Laos reported 38 new confirmed cases of dengue fever and one new death from the disease, according to Lao Ministry of Health report.
The highest number of dengue patients were reported in Lao capital Vientiane at 345 with two deaths, while 190 cases were reported in Attapeu province, and 186 cases were reported in Vientiane province.
As of Sunday, 1,337 people had been diagnosed with dengue fever and four deaths were recorded, according to the Center of Information and Education for Health under the Lao Ministry of Health.
Lao health authorities urged people to clear potential mosquito breeding sites around their homes and workplaces to help control the spread of dengue fever.
Meanwhile, improvement of the diagnosis and treatment of dengue at hospitals and dispensaries is necessary to prevent unavoidable deaths.
According to the World Health Organization, dengue is one of the fastest emerging infections and is currently the most rapidly spreading viral disease known, with Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines and Singapore also seeing high incidence. The number of cases in the Western Pacific Region has more than doubled over the past 10 years. Enditem
