The late arrival of this year's monsoon season has helped to keep down the level

of dengue haemorrhagic fever cases so far. Because the number of cases in 1991 and

1992 were relatively low, and because major outbreaks tend to occur in two-year cycles,

an epidemic had been projected to break out this year.

However, efforts by the Ministry of Health, the World Health Organization, UNICEF,

UNTAC, UNHCR, AEDES, World Vision and the British Mission to control the disease

and its carrier, the Tiger Mosquito (Aedes aegypti), are continuing unabated.

Recently, for example, UNICEF and UNHCR began a campaign in areas around Phnom Penh

to explain to members of the public how to prevent dengue and control the spread

of the Tiger Mosquito.

People are being encouraged to keep water jars and other containers holding water

covered, and to use "Abate" powder in such containers to kill the larvae.

Abate is safe to use and is available from the National Hygiene and Epidemiology

Centre at 226 Kampuchea-Vietnam Street, Khan 7-1, Phnom Penh (between Streets 139

and 169).

Cost is minimal at 20 U.S. cents (approximately 600 riel) per 20-gramme pack. One

pack will treat 200 liters of water and will remain effective in water containers

for up to two months.