Health News
Dengue kills at least 67 people this year in Philippines
By DPA
Apr 1, 2008, 9:55 GMT

Manila - At least 67 people have died from dengue in the first three months of 2008 in the Philippines, up 36 per cent from the same period last year, the health department said Tuesday.

A total of 6,653 people were afflicted with dengue from January to March 2008, compared to 5,453 cases in the same period in 2007, the department added.

In the same period in 2007, 49 people died from the disease.

The health department said the cases and deaths were still within manageable levels, but urged households to keep their surroundings clean to prevent contracting the disease.

In 2007, 407 people died from dengue in the Philippines, while a total of 43,938 cases were reported.

Dengue, which is contracted through mosquito bites, is an infectious tropical fever causing acute pain in the joints. Symptoms include loss of appetite, general weakness, nausea and vomiting.