Macao to Put Priority on Preventing Dengue Fever

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 ◆ Macao to Put Priority on Preventing Dengue Fever

Preventing the spread of dengue fever will be a priority on the 2002 agenda of health service departments in China's Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR).

The Health Service Bureau has revealed that, as of last September, more than 1,000 local residents have been confirmed to be infected with the disease, which is believed to be brought to Macao by those who had traveled to southeast Asian countries.

Director Kui Kuok Ieng of the bureau told the press recently that Macao will step up efforts at mosquito eradication, as the Dengue virus is transmitted only by a certain kind of mosquito that bites mainly during the daytime.

Serious dengue fever will cause deaths, with fever, sore muscles and joints and headaches seen as initial symptoms.

Kui said that his bureau will use more accurate apparatus to treat the disease and cooperate more closely with counterparts in neighboring countries and regions.

Actually, the aggravating trend of the fever has been curbed since it was found for the first time in Macao several months ago,he noted.