18 die of dengue fever in E. Timor

DILI, East Timor: Dengue fever has killed at least 18 people in the province since Jan. 18, and more than 200 others have been treated for the disease in hospitals or public health centers.

Muharam, an official at the provincial health ministry office, said here over the weekend that 223 people had received treatment since January.

He said the health ministry's office here would continue to carry out fumigation in all areas known to be prone to the spread of the disease as a preventive measure.

Dengue is transmitted by the aedes mosquito, which breeds in stagnant, dirty water.

Muharam urged people to keep their houses and surrounding areas clean and remove water which could serve as breeding sites for the mosquito, Antara reported. (rms)