There have been 24,684 cases of dengue fever with 23 deaths in 2018 which saw a sharp increase compared to 2017, a Health Ministry official said.

According to report by National Center for Parasitology, Entomology and Malaria (NCPEMC), there were 24,684 cases of dengue fever with 23 deaths in 2018 in which there were 6,372 cases with 3 deaths in 2017.

Huy Rekol, director of the NCPEMC, said that the dengue fever cases have increased in 2018 due to seasonal cycle and climate change.

“The number of dengue fever in 2018 is much higher compared to 2017 due to seasonal cycle of every 5 to 6 years of tropical Asia, and climate change,” Mr Rekol said.

He said that the dengue fever cases happened mostly in Phnom Penh, Kampong Chhnang, Preah Vihear, Siem Reap, Kratie, Kampong Thom, Kampong Cham, Oddar Meanchey and Banteay Meanchey provinces.

“We make a lot of effort to prevent dengue fever. Our work is successful in preventing it. In 2019, it is still in seasonal cycle. We still take precaution against the outbreak, not only in Cambodia, but some countries in Asia are also precautious against the outbreak,” he said.

• Tags: dengue fever, malaria, NCPEMC, outbreak