The number of dengue cases during the first half of this year more than doubled compared to the same period last year and is increasing, a government report said on Wednesday.

The National Center for Parasitology, Entomology and Malaria Control (CNM) at the Ministry of Health released a document saying there were 3,284 cases of dengue fever from January to June, seven of which were fatal.

Last year there were only 1,580 cases and one death over the same period.

CNM director Huy Rekol said: “It could increase during June, July, and August. We try not to let the number of cases increase, but there has been a lot of rain in tropical areas this year, so dengue cases increased in other countries as well.

“The ministry knows the extent of cases each year, and we have prepared plans, around 300 tonnes of medicine and professional medical staff to deal with it,” he said.

The report said fatal cases were due to low awareness of the disease or sending victims to the hospital too late for proper treatment.

Ly Sovann, the spokesman for the health ministry said the disease hasn’t reached an alert point yet.

“Dengue cases this year are higher than last year because it is going through a cycle. People need to stay cautious and destroy mosquitoes larvae at their breeding sites,” he said.