Dengue fever is becoming a major international public health concern, according to the World Health Organization.

Its symptoms are very similar to those of a common flu, but it affects from 50 to 100 million people each year around the world, particularly in urban areas.

Dr Raman Velayudhan, a scientist at the World Health Organization, tells UN Radio’s Patrick Maigua that more attention should be paid to the mosquito-born viral disease as it can develop into a severe form which can lead to death.

Duration: 2'59"