12 Jan 2009

Increased worries in New caledonia over dengue

11:28 am on 12 January 2009

New Caledonia's health authorities continue to be concerned about the risk of more dengue infections in the face of hot and humid conditions.

The health director, Jean-Paul Grangeon, told Noumea's daily newspaper that this year another 50 people have been diagnosed with dengue.

He says dengue can be fatal not necesssarily for the frail alone, but strike anyone.

Last year, just over 1,100 people contracted dengue and ten percent of them needed hospital care.

The World Health Organisation rates dengue as a public health challenge comparable to AIDS or tuberculosis.