VIENTIANE, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- A total of 4,455 cases of dengue fever have been recorded across the country since January, according to a report from the Lao Ministry of Health.

The dengue fever has caused nine death, Center of Information and Education for Health under Lao Ministry of Health reported in a press release on Thursday.

The highest number of dengue patients is reported in the Lao capital Vientiane with 1,017, while 523 cases were recorded in Bolikhamxay province, and 457 in Vientiane province.

The nine deaths included four in Lao capital Vientiane, two in Bolikhamxay, and one each in Khammuan, Xayaboury and Xieng Khuang provinces.

Lao health authorities have urged people to clear potential mosquito breeding sites around their homes and workplaces to help control the spread of the disease.

According to the World Health Organization, dengue fever is one of the fastest emerging infections and is currently the most rapidly spreading viral disease known, with Thailand, Laos, the Philippines and Singapore also seeing the high incidences. The number of cases in the western Pacific Region has more than doubled over the past 10 years.