A nurse treats dengue patients in a goverment hospital in Manila in 2006
© AFP/File Joel Nito

MANILA (AFP) - Deaths due to dengue fever reached 108 in the year to April 5, a sharp increase from the 74 deaths recorded in the same period last year, according to figures released by the department.

Majority of the victims were male with the youngest victim one month old and the oldest 87 years. Health officials did not give a reason for the increase in the number of cases.

The nation's capital of Metropolitan Manila had the most cases recorded with 2,832, the department said.

World Health Organisation officials earlier this year warned that climate change was increasing the incidence of dengue fever and other infectious diseases in this country.

There is no known cure or vaccine to fight dengue fever, which is transmitted by the white-spotted mosquit.

©AFP