Outbreak of dengue fever rises in Myanmar this year

YANGON, May 16 (Xinhua) -- The outbreak of dengue fever in Myanmar's Yangon has increased by four times in the first four months of this year compared to the same period of last year , the official Global New Light of Myanmar reported Tuesday.

During the period, a total of 954 dengue fever cases occurred, causing four deaths in Yangon region while only 214 cases were reported in the same period of last year, according to the Yangon Health Department.

The cases of dengue fever occurred mostly in Hlinethaya and Dala townships.

Overcrowding, lack of sanitation and unhygienic water storage are blamed for causing the dengue fever outbreaks.

The authorities are exerting efforts to carry out disease prevention activities in 20 townships in Yangon region where there are most outbreaks of the disease.