PHNOM PENH, April 19 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia on Thursday launched an awareness campaign to mark the national day against dengue fever after the country has seen a remarkable increase in the disease infection so far this year.
Dr. Char Meng Chuor, director of the National Center for Parasitology, Entomology and Malaria Control, said since the start of the year to mid-April, the country recorded 1,393 dengue fever cases, a hefty 311 percent rise from 339 cases at the same period last year.
Among the cases this year, eight children were killed, representing a 100-percent increase a year earlier, he said.
The campaign, jointly launched by the Health Ministry, Information Ministry and Education Ministry, will be conducted through schools and mass media; and about 270 tones of Abate (a chemical substance used to kill larvae in water pots) will be distributed free of charge to households.
Speaking at the launching ceremony, Health Minister Mam Bunheng called on people to sleep in mosquito nets and keep clean environment around their houses.
"Dengue fever is caused by mosquitoes. To prevent the infection, I would like to appeal to all parents, guardians and students to kill larvae by using Abate substance and by filling in puddles around houses, which are sources of mosquitoes," he said.
Dengue fever causes an acute illness of sudden onset that usually follows symptoms such as headache, fever, exhaustion, severe muscle and joint pain, swollen glands and rash.
In Cambodia, the outbreak of dengue fever usually begins at the onset of the rainy season in May and lasts until October.
Last year, the country reported 15,980 dengue fever cases, which killed 73 children.
Dr. Char Meng Chuor, director of the National Center for Parasitology, Entomology and Malaria Control, said since the start of the year to mid-April, the country recorded 1,393 dengue fever cases, a hefty 311 percent rise from 339 cases at the same period last year.
Among the cases this year, eight children were killed, representing a 100-percent increase a year earlier, he said.
The campaign, jointly launched by the Health Ministry, Information Ministry and Education Ministry, will be conducted through schools and mass media; and about 270 tones of Abate (a chemical substance used to kill larvae in water pots) will be distributed free of charge to households.
Speaking at the launching ceremony, Health Minister Mam Bunheng called on people to sleep in mosquito nets and keep clean environment around their houses.
"Dengue fever is caused by mosquitoes. To prevent the infection, I would like to appeal to all parents, guardians and students to kill larvae by using Abate substance and by filling in puddles around houses, which are sources of mosquitoes," he said.
Dengue fever causes an acute illness of sudden onset that usually follows symptoms such as headache, fever, exhaustion, severe muscle and joint pain, swollen glands and rash.
In Cambodia, the outbreak of dengue fever usually begins at the onset of the rainy season in May and lasts until October.
Last year, the country reported 15,980 dengue fever cases, which killed 73 children.
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