China has issued an alert against dengue fever as the peak season for the mosquito-borne disease continues in the southern parts of the country.
The Health Ministry warned the region remains prone to outbreaks of the potentially deadly disease because of favorable breeding weather conditions, reports Xinhua news agency.
The public was urged to help in the mosquito eradication program.
The report said China reported 502 dengue cases in September but there were no fatalities. Most of those cases were in south China's Guangdong Province, where 492 cases have been reported.
Dengue causes severe fever and can lead to vomiting, nausea and body rash. It can cause severe pain in the joints. Some dengue strains can cause internal bleeding and death.
Copyright 2006 by United Press International
