VIENTIANE, July 9 (Xinhua) -- The Lao Ministry of Health on Thursday confirmed 43 new cases of dengue fever, with most of the cases recorded in the capital of Vientiane.
Some 2,661 people has been diagnosed with dengue fever and eight deaths were recorded, Lao Ministry of Health said in a statement.
The highest number of dengue patients were reported in Vientiane with 608, while 333 cases were recorded in Bolikhamxay province, and 329 cases in Vientiane province.
The eight deaths included three in Vientiane, two in Bolikhamxay, and one each in Khammuan, Xayaboury and Xieng Khuang 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 fever is one of the fastest emerging mosquito-borne diseases 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
