Rome (Fides Service) - Since January this year 8,273 people in Malaysia were infected by Dengue and 38 of the died. More than 360 people were infected by the haemorrhagic variant, which can be lethal.
Although the number of cases registered has dropped by 13,8% it is concerning to see that many of the 12,193 cases in 2003 were children.
There is alarm also in Singapore, where in the last week in August the infection reached its maximum level with 332 cases. Since January some 5,248 cases have been registered 48% more than in the same period last year.
In growing number of cases of Dengue is a global phenomenon and in some countries the number of persons infected in the first six months of this year is double the number in the same period last year 2003.
Dengue is carried by the Aedes mosquito. Health ministries have ordered precautions to be taken in schools, offices and markets.
In 1998 some 1.2 million people in 52 countries led of Dengue fever. The World Heath Organisation fears this figure may be reached again this year. (30/9/2004 Agenzia Fides; Righe:20; Parole:223)