President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Friday ordered a nationwide campaign against the outbreak of dengue in the wake of more than 70 fatal cases.

Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye said in a statement that " the president has ordered the Department of Health to coordinate with local government units and other concerned agencies to prevent the spread and outbreak of dengue in Metro Manila and the rest of the country."

"We call on the public to remain calm and to cooperate with health authorities in addressing this program," he said.

The government's order was a response to the appeal by the Department of the Interior and Local Government to help prevent the spread of the highly infectious disease.

The mosquito-borne epidemic disease has killed 73 people and infected 5,323 others in the first six months this year in the Philippines, 41 percent higher than the same period last year.

Outbreaks of dengue have been reported recently in Bulacan, north of Manila and some other places.

Source: Xinhua