1,145 dengue fever cases in S China

GUANGZHOU -?A total of 1,145 dengue fever cases have been confirmed in South China's Guangdong province, with 31 in critical situation, according to a statement released by local health department.

Of the cases, 90 percent are confirmed in Guangzhou. There have been no deaths reported, the statement said.

Zhang Yonghui, director of the Guangdong Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, appealed to all citizens to take self-protective measure against mosquitoes and eradicate mosquitoes so as to prevent dengue fever.

Dengue is a mosquito-borne, potentially fatal disease that affects between 50 and 100 million people in tropical and subtropical regions every year, causing fever and muscle and joint aches.

Figures from the center shows that due to high temperature and rainy weather in Guangdong, mosquito population is five times the normal level.

September to November will be the high time for outbreak of dengue fever and Dengue prevention needs effort from all people in the province, Zhang said.