Preah Vihear health department officials spraying insecticide to prevent mosquitoes from breeding, as dengue fever cases rise. The Aedes mosquito, commonly called the tiger mosquito, is a known vector for dengue. Unusually, they are active during the day. -Health department
PHNOM PENH: The Health Ministry has issued a warning to the public and urged stronger preventive action in response to the rising trend of dengue fever cases during the 2025 rainy season.
On Thursday (July 10), the ministry announced that cases have been increasing since late April and are expected to continue rising. This is due to increased rainfall which leads to more standing water in containers and items such as used tyres, coconut shells, bottles, jars, plant vases, water tanks, buckets, flowerpots, table stands, cupboards and cups – all of which become breeding grounds for Aedes mosquitoes.
The National Dengue Control Program reported that in the first half of 2025, Cambodia recorded 8,803 dengue cases, an increase of 2,523 cases (or 28.6%) compared to the same period in 2024.
The Ministry has called on all citizens and local authorities to actively participate in eliminating mosquito breeding sources, in line with the slogan: “My family is a model family because my house and residence are mosquito-free”.
It also urged responsible action and vigilance to protect the health of individuals, families and communities.
People showing symptoms of sudden high fever (39–40°C) should seek immediate medical attention at the nearest health centre or hospital – ideally within 48 hours – and may also call the 115 hotline for advice or to report cases.
The ministry also encouraged parents, guardians and local officials to eliminate mosquito larvae by regularly cleaning areas with stagnant water – such as jars, tanks, pots, stands, buckets, and containers – at least once a week, or by covering them. Additionally, people should work with the local health network to apply larvicide (Abate) in water storage containers or raise guppy fish in suitable areas to help control larvae.
It recommended burying, burning or otherwise destroying unused items that could hold water.
Construction site owners and workers were instructed to clean up their sites, eliminate standing water and store materials under cover to avoid creating mosquito breeding grounds – especially within 150 metres of people’s residences.
Business operators handling used tyres were advised to manage them by stacking them under cover, covering them with plastic or wooden boards, adding used motor oil or filling them with soil to prevent water collection.
The ministry also urged the public to trim bushes and grass around homes, keep living areas clean and orderly, ensure good sunlight and ventilation, and use window screens, wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and socks to cover exposed skin, use mosquito repellents (sprays or creams) – safe even for pregnant women – and sleep under mosquito nets, both day and night.
Finally, municipal and provincial health departments were told to coordinate with local authorities to inspect construction sites and push for effective local mosquito control to reduce illness and death from dengue fever across Cambodia. - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN
