Cities in south China’s Guangdong Province are taking steps to halt the spread of dengue fever following an outbreak of the mosquito-borne disease that has led to four fatalities and infected nearly 14,000 people in the province.

In the provincial capital of Guangzhou, local authorities initiated more preventive measures on Tuesday, requiring all neighborhood communities to clear up garbage and remove puddles and foul water from all areas.

The local government of Zhongshan launched an anti-dengue campaign ahead of the National Day holiday, dispatching six steering groups to distribute mosquito repellents.

In the city of Foshan, local health authorities have sprayed pesticides across the city.

Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne, potentially fatal disease that affects between 50 and 100 million people in tropical and subtropical regions every year. The principal symptoms are fever and muscle and joint aches.

Story compiled from Associated Press.