At least nine people were killed by a dengue epidemic in the province of Pangasinan 150 kilometers north of Manila in the past six weeks, the Philippine News Agency reported on Sunday.

The news agency quoted health officials as saying a total of 384 suspected dengue cases have been recorded in the period of time.

Dr. Jesus Canto, chief of the Region I Medical Center of the Department of Health, said there was a rise of dengue cases in the province during the on-going rainy season.

Officials denied there was an outbreak of dengue fever, as the number of cases that were recorded has not reached the threshold level to warrant a declaration of an epidemic.

Source: Xinhua