Cases of dengue fever in Laos have reached 20,936 since January, including 14 deaths, according to the Lao Ministry of Health.

The highest number of cases occurred in Oudomxay province, where 4,161 cases were reported, while 3,082 cases were recorded in Khammuan province, and 2,250 in Luang Prabang province, a report, issued by the Center of Information and Education for Health under the ministry on Thursday, said.

The dengue fever has caused 14 deaths, including five in Bolikhamxay province, two each in Savannakhet and Lao capital Vientiane, and one each in Oudomxay, Khammuan, Xayaboury, Attapeu and Vientiane province.The disease spreads quickly among people living in unsanitary circumstances near stagnant water where mosquitoes flourish.The Lao Ministry of Health urged people countrywide to remain vigilant, especially during rainy seasons, when dengue-spreading mosquitoes grow in number due to stagnant water accumulation in the surroundings.Health officials and medical staff are working to build public understanding of the danger of this potentially deadly disease amid the surging cases across the country.

xinhua