Phnom Penh: Cambodia reported 18,987 dengue fever cases in 2024, a remarkable decline by 46 percent from 35,390 cases a year before, the Ministry of Health pointed out.

According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, the disease killed 46 people last year, down 54 percent compared to 2023. Dr. Leang Rithea, Director of the National Dengue Control Programme and Deputy Director of the National Centre for Parasitology, Entomology and Malaria Control, attributed the success to the efforts of stakeholders in preventing the spread of the deadly disease.

‘Parents should take their sick children to health centres or hospitals within 48 hours if they suspect their children are infected with the dengue virus,’ he said. Dengue fever, a viral infection transmitted by mosquitoes, mostly hits tropical and sub-tropical regions. The symptoms include high fever, nausea, rashes, backache and headaches.

The hemorrhagic variant, which causes severe internal bleeding as blood vessels collapse, is often fatal.