A total of 31 people died in Laos this year due to dengue, out of the 7,920 people infected, according to Lao government statistics.

The high number of cases indicated dengue may soon reach epidemic proportions in Laos, a senior official in the Lao Ministry of Health warned in a speech during the celebrations of ASEAN Dengue Day here on Tuesday.

"If there are no effective actions undertaken, there will be serious economic and social consequences for Lao PDR including deaths, overloaded central, provincial and district health care facilities, and debilitated workers due to illness," World Health Organization (WHO) representative in Laos Dr. Liu Yungo said at the meeting.

Dengue kills 20,000 people every year out of some 500,000 to 1 million people who have been infected, 75 percent of whom are from the Asia and Pacific. "ASEAN countries have the worst record," explained Dr. Yungo.

Dr. Yungo noted that there had been a much higher number of cases already reported this year than for the same period in 2010. The increase was eight times higher for children under the age of 15.

The WHO recommended that the government act immediately to reduce the risk of transmission and to mitigate the impact of an epidemic, working closely with local authorities. Local governors are being asked to activate their communicable disease control committees, monitor the dengue situation in their area, promote awareness campaigns, coordinate with other sectors and development partners, and mobilize resources.

"Community action for larvae control in both households and public places is important to mitigate the dengue situation in the country," Dr. Yunguo said. He warned government officials at the meeting that the dengue outbreak would also negatively impact the country's tourism industry.