China's Health Ministry and the National Tourism Administration
jointly issued an advisory on Monday warning tourists to be wary of
dengue fever, a potentially fatal, mosquito-borne disease, during
the week-long Labor Day holiday.
A large number of tourists will travel abroad during the holiday
starting on May 1, which will increase chances of contracting
dengue fever.
In addition, warm temperatures and rain in southern China, which
are ideal breeding weather for mosquitoes, will increase chances of
spreading the disease, said the circular.
Health departments at all levels, hotels and restaurants must
closely monitor outbreaks of dengue fever and strengthen detection
to make sure that all preventive measures are properly carried
out,said the circular.
China reported 1,019 dengue cases in south China's Guangdong Province in 2006. Some cases were
reported in other provinces but they were people who had traveled
from south China.
Dengue causes severe fever and can lead to nausea and body rash.
It can cause severe pain in the joints. Also called bone-breaker's
disease, some dengue strains cause internal bleeding and death.
(Xinhua News Agency May 2, 2007)