MADRID, Spain (13 Apr 2008) — Holiday makers travelling to New Caledonia are being advised to take precautions against mosquitoes as the dengue fever epidemic continues. More than 400 people have been struck by dengue fever since February with 15 to 20 people contracting the disease every day. 130 people have been affected on the island of Lifou with the Isle of Pines also badly hit. Local authorities are organising health campaigns in schools and villages and people are being urged to destroy larval sites. Sales and promotions manager for New Caledonia Tourism in New Zealand, Virginia Hales, is advising tourists to protect themselves against mosquitoes which carry the disease. "Practice common sense. Wear lots of insect repellant and be vigilant and if there are areas where you think there are just more of them than there are of you, stay away. There is no vaccine against it all we can reiterate is to practise common sense." SOURCE - RNZI | 
