VIENTIANE, May 22 (Xinhua) -- The Lao Ministry of Health urged people countrywide to be vigilant and help control the spread of dengue fever.
Laos recorded nine new cases of dengue fever, raising the total in the country to 318, according to a report by the Center of Information and Education for Health under the Lao Ministry of Health on Saturday.
The highest number of dengue patients were reported in Attapeu province at 115, while 57 cases were in Lao capital Vientiane, and 28 cases in Saravan province.
If people fall ill, they should suspect that dengue may be the cause of their illness and get a blood test at a hospital, according to the report.
Every family should throw out water collected in jars, vases, and dishes and should cover such vessels to prevent more water from filling them up.
People countrywide should 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 infections with Thailand, Laos, the Philippines and Singapore also seeing high incidences. The number of cases in the Western Pacific region has more than doubled over the past 10 years. Enditem
