China's Health Ministry and the National Tourism Administration jointly issued an advisory on Monday warning tourists to be wary of dengue fever, a potentially fatal, mosquito-borne disease, during the week-long Labor Day holiday.

A large number of tourists will travel abroad during the holiday starting on May 1, which will increase chances of contracting dengue fever.

In addition, warm temperatures and rain in southern China, which are ideal breeding weather for mosquitoes, will increase chances of spreading the disease, said the circular.

Health departments at all levels, hotels and restaurants must closely monitor outbreaks of dengue fever and strengthen detection to make sure that all preventive measures are properly carried out,said the circular.

China reported 1,019 dengue cases in south China's Guangdong Province in 2006. Some cases were reported in other provinces but they were people who had traveled from south China.

Dengue causes severe fever and can lead to nausea and body rash. It can cause severe pain in the joints. Also called bone-breaker's disease, some dengue strains cause internal bleeding and death.

(Xinhua News Agency May 2, 2007)