Authorities have stepped up efforts at mosquito eradication in order to prevent the spread of dengue fever after 14 residents were confirmed to be infected.

Mr. Kui Kuok Ieng, Director of the Health Service Bureau, spoke at a joint press conference saying that routine mosquito eradication efforts would be accelerated as they have been proven to be most effective against the spread of dengue fever. He added that these actions would be carried out at some 200 construction sites throughout the territory where stagnant water had accumulated. Mr. Kui also advised people to clean up stagnant water in their households where mosquitoes could breed.

Mr. Kui said that the authorities are capable of controlling the disease and therefore people should not panic over the situation.

This is the first time that dengue fever has been found in Macau. 14 cases have been confirmed while 17 others are suspected.

Among the 14 patients confirmed to be infected, one patient had been traveling in Thailand earlier this month while a few others had been to Hong Kong and Zhuhai. All 14 patients, aged between 31 and 87, were confirmed to have a lesser form of the disease.