China reports almost 96 percent drop in dengue in south

BEIJING

China has reported that the number of Dengue infections in southern Guangdong Province has plummeted -- a 95.85 percent drop compared to the same period last year.

A total of 1,312 dengue cases were reported in 18 cities across Guangdong so far this year, state news agency Xinhua reported local health authorities as saying Friday.

The city of Chaozhou saw the highest number with 1,162, while 99 people caught dengue outside the province, said the province's health and family planning commission.

Dengue fever is spread by mosquitoes and causes a sudden fever with severe joint pain.

It mainly affects people in tropical and subtropical regions, causing nausea, fever, and muscle and joint aches.