With the goal to prevent and control the outbreak of dengue fever, a warning to the public has been issued by the Health Authority of possible outbreaks and awareness on the spreading disease.
According to the Director of the National Centre for Laboratory and Epidemiology, Dr Phengta Vongphachanh, from January through April of this year alone, an estimated 558 dengue fever cases have been recorded nationwide, a huge jump from the 249 dengue fever cases that were reported around the same time last year.
Recent data collected has indicated that dengue fever infections have had the most impact in Vientiane compared to any other provinces in the country.
There have been 151 dengue fever cases reported in the capital so far, while no outbreaks had been reported this time in 2016.
120 dengue fever infections have been recorded in Champassak, while about 115 dengue fever cases have been reported in Attapeu and other provinces.
Last year, Champassak lost 6 people to dengue fever and reported the highest number of outbreaks across the country.
Dr Phengta Vongphachanh stated that increasing public awareness on the disease is one of the main strategies to reduce the risk of dengue transmission.
Local officials and health authorities are actively urging residents to clear potential mosquito breeding sites around their homes and workplaces to help tame the spread of the virus, aiming at long-term prevention rather than treatment on a case to case basis.
Dr Phengta urges all homes, schools, factories, hotels, restaurants and offices to discard any water that collects in jars, vases and dishes and should take precaution with all stagnant water in the area.
