Thursday, 03/08/2017 16:37 (GMT+7)
Dengue fever outbreaks are occurring across Asia, causing thousands cases of infections.
In Malaysia, Minister of Health, Dr S. Subramaniam said 53,750 cases of dengue fever and 122 deaths were recorded nationwide from January to July 15th, as compared to 61,534 cases and 135 deaths during the same period last year.
Besides, Sri Lanka is facing an "unprecedented" outbreak of deadly dengue fever, with 296 deaths recorded and over 100,000 cases reported in 2017 alone, according to the Sri Lanka Red Cross.
The international aid organization, formally known as the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), is increasing its emergency assistance across Sri Lanka to help contain the spread of the mosquito-borne disease, a press release says.
The Sri Lanka Red Cross has also been sending teams of volunteers to the areas most affected by the outbreak to check for mosquito breeding areas around residents' homes, including flowerpots and gutters.
The WHO estimates that globally, 50 million to 100 million people are infected with the mosquito-borne virus each year, mainly in Asia. The number could be even higher, a recent study estimated the annual number of infections at 390 million./.
Compiled by BTA