Dengue fever outbreak in Medan, 3 dead

Dengue fever outbreak in Medan, 3 dead

MEDAN, North Sumatra: At least 145 cases of dengue fever and
three deaths have been reported in the North Sumatra capital
Medan, health officials said on Wednesday.

Medan health office head Herman Sadeck said the outbreak was
an annual occurrence during the months of July and August, and
had always claimed lives.

The varied climate -- sometimes wet and sometimes dry -- had
contributed to the spread of the mosquito-borne disease, he said.

The office recorded 212 cases of dengue fever and three deaths
last year, a decrease from 344 cases and two deaths recorded in
2001. --JP