VIENTIANE, April 8 (Xinhua) -- Laos saw a sharp decline in dengue fever cases in the first quarter of 2025, compared to the same period last year, said the Lao Ministry of Health.
According to a report from the Ministry's Center of Information and Education for Health on Tuesday, Laos recorded 556 dengue cases between January and March 2025, with no deaths reported.
In the first quarter of 2024, the number of dengue cases in Laos reached 1,837, with three deaths.
During the first quarter this year, the highest number of dengue cases was reported in the Lao capital, Vientiane, at 152, while 91 cases were confirmed in Luang Namtha province and 66 cases in Luang Prabang province.
The Lao government has urged health officials and medical staff nationwide to enhance the management of dengue fever cases to prevent a major outbreak.
Last month, the Ministry of Health launched a project to combat mosquito-borne diseases by releasing Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes, a safe and effective method to reduce dengue incidence. The project will expand to the Lao capital, Vientiane, Luang Prabang, Oudomxay, Savannakhet, and Champasak provinces, aiming to protect over 1.2 million people across Laos. ■
