VIENTIANE, July 10 (Xinhua) -- Dengue cases in Laos have risen to 2,736 with eight deaths since January, the Lao Ministry of Health said on Friday.
The highest number of dengue patients were recorded in the Lao capital Vientiane with 625, while 339 cases were reported in Bolikhamxay province, and 335 cases were reported in Vientiane province.
The eight deaths included three in Vientiane, two in Bolikhamxay, and one each in Khammuan, Xayaboury and Xieng Khuang province, Center of Information and Education for Health under Lao Ministry of Health said in a statement.
Lao health authorities urged people to clear potential mosquito breeding sites around their homes and workplaces to help control the spread of dengue fever.
According to the World Health Organization, dengue fever is one of the fastest emerging mosquito-borne diseases, with Thailand, Laos, 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
