VIENTIANE, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- The number of dengue fever cases continues to grow in Laos, with two new deaths reported on Friday, according to the Lao Ministry of Health.
The number of dengue cases in Laos has risen to 17,473 as 371 new cases were confirmed in the last 24 hours, according to a report by the Center of Information and Education for Health under the ministry on Friday, adding that the dengue fever has caused 12 deaths.
Oudomxay province has recorded the highest number of cases with 3,545, followed by 2,809 in Khammuan province, and 1,693 in Lao capital Vientiane.
As the number of dengue fever cases continues to rise, health officials and medical staff strive to increase public awareness of the dangers of this potentially deadly disease.
The Ministry of Health attributes the surge in cases to various factors, primarily to a lack of public awareness regarding precautionary measures to prevent mosquito bites. ■