VIENTIANE, Aug. 28 (Xinhua) -- The Lao Ministry of Health reported 166 new confirmed cases of dengue fever on Friday and one new death from the disease.
The highest number of dengue patients were reported in Lao capital Vientiane at 1,300, while 654 cases were confirmed in Bolikhamxay province, and 597 cases were detected in Vientiane province.
As of Friday, 5,593 people had been diagnosed with dengue fever and 10 deaths were recorded, according to a press release from Lao Ministry of Health on Friday.
The 10 deaths included four in Vientiane, two in Bolikhamxay, and one each in Khammuan, Xayaboury, Xieng Khuang and Savannakhet province.
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 is one of the fastest emerging infections 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
