Dengue fever outbreaks in Cambodian province

An outbreak of dengue fever is occurring in Cambodia's Kompong Chhnang province, about 90 km north of the capital, with more than 30 people sickened so far, local media reported on Friday.

At least 30 children were hospitalized in the province's Boribor district on Wednesday and some have been taken by ambulance to the hospital for blood testing, Chhuon Buntha, chief of the district's health office, was quoted by The Cambodia Daily as saying.

"It's like a storm of dengue fever. Children have fallen sick everywhere in the district," he said.

The outbreak of the fever, which is carried by mosquitoes, was first noticed early this month but has worsened following intermittent rains, he said.

There have been no reported deaths so far. There were only 30 cases, according to Ngan Chan Tha, director of the Health Ministry 's dengue control program.

Insecticide will be sprayed throughout the district in an effort to combat the outbreak.

The coming rainy season could be cause for concern, he warned. Local residents are advised to be certain that pools of still water do not collect around their homes as this could attract mosquitoes.

Source: Xinhua