14 Jul 2009

Dengue sufferers in French Polynesia now total more than 2,100

3:07 pm on 14 July 2009

French Polynesia's health ministry says the current dengue outbreak has now affected more than 2,100 people and has spread to all island groups.

It says half the people who contracted type-4 dengue are in the 10 to 19 year age group.

The ministry says so far 40 people needed hospital care, with one patient falling seriously ill before recovering.

It warns that in the months to come, there is a risk that dengue could spread on islands where the illness has been recently introduced.

As part of its awareness campaign, the ministry calls on the public to eliminate stagnant water in a bid to curtail the breeding grounds for the dengue carrying mosquitoes.