23 die of dengue in N. Sulawesi

MANADO, North Sulawesi: Twenty-three people have died of dengue fever in North Sulawesi from January to August this year.

Most of the patients were from Manado, according to H. Sompotan, an official of the local health agency.

Sompotan, who is the head of the office for the prevention of contagious diseases, said January had seen the highest number of patients, with seven fatalities out of 208 patients.

The lowest figure was recorded in April, when there were 54 patients with two fatalities, Antara reported.

Minahasa regency ranked second in the number of dengue-related deaths, with five fatalities out of the 90 recorded patients.