Dengue cases in Laos reach 1,992 with 5 deaths; No Covid-19 cases for 68 days

Laos Red Cross volunteers raise awareness on the symptoms of Covid-19 and the means to protect oneself from it, in a market in Vientiane, Laos. But the country now is facing a rising dengue epidemic as cases in Laos have reached 1,992 with five deaths since December 2019. - Reuters

VIENTIANE (Xinhua): Dengue cases in Laos have reached 1,992 with five deaths since December 2019, Laos Ministry of Health reported in its press release on Saturday .

The highest number of dengue patients were reported in Laos capital Vientiane at 434.

The five deaths included two in Laos capital Vientiane and one each in Xayaboury, Khammuan and Luang Namtha province.

Laos 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 Organisation, dengue fever is one of the fastest emerging infections, with Thailand, Vientiane, the Philippines and Singapore also seeing high incidence.

The number of cases in the Western Pacific Region has more than doubled over the past 10 years

As for the Covid-19 pandemic, Loas confirmed that there has been no such cases

As of Friday night, Laos has tested 11,478 suspected cases with 19 cases tested positive, and all of them have been discharged from hospitals.

Laos announced its first two Covid-19 confirmed cases on March 24, and the last patient was discharged on June 9. - Xinhua/Asian News Network