Dengue fever spreads in Guangzhou   

广州报告400例登革热病例 疫情覆盖7区正在蔓延

(ECNS) -- Over 400 dengue fever cases had been reported in Guangzhou, capital of south China's Guangdong province, as of August 13, and the number continues to rise, local authorities say.

According to Guangzhou's Health Bureau, about 400 cases had been reported since the disease first broke out in June. As of Monday, seven districts and more than 50 communities have reported outbreaks.

Of the 400, a confirmed 250 cases are indigenous, while 21 have been imported from countries such as Indonesia and Malaysia.

Yuexiu, Baiyun and Nansha districts have severe outbreaks.

Dengue fever, carried by mosquitoes, spreads more rapidly in hot and humid weather. Symptoms include fever, headaches, muscle and joint pain, as well as a skin rash.

The local government has deployed over 800 workers to spray mosquito repellent every Friday afternoon and provided prevention education to the public.