Number of dengue fever cases in Guangzhou reaches 10-year high

Dengue is a mosquito-borne, potentially fatal disease that affects between 50 and 100 million people in tropical and subtropical regions every year, causing fever and muscle and joint aches.

In recent years, Guangzhou has seen a worrying growth in the number of cases. In 2011, the city reported 30 cases of Dengue, in 2012, 120 cases were reported. 2013 saw a sudden spike in the fever, with one thousand 240 cases reported. This year, the figure has further climbed to over 7,000, setting a new record.

So far this year, elderly people have been particularly affected. In Guangzhou NO.8 Hospital alone, 50% of the cases are patients over 60 years of age. Over 20% of the patients are over 80 years of age.