China is in the midst of its worst dengue fever outbreak in 20 years in its southern provinces. More than 27,000 total cases have been reported so far. CCTV America’s Wu Guoxiu reports.

Dengue fever cases in China are rising by more than 1,000 per day.

“As of Wednesday, 27,219 cases have been reported nationally, six have died. It’s an obvious rise compared with last year. Ninety-nine percent of the cases are from Guangdong, Fujian, Yunnan provinces and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region,” said Song Shuli, a spokeswoman for the National Health and Family Planning Commission of the People’s Republic of China

Dengue fever is prevalent in over 100 countries in tropical and subtropical regions. Health authorities say they prepare for cases every year, but this year the cases have come earlier than expected.

Dengue is a mosquito-borne, potentially fatal disease, causing fever, muscle and joint aches that is difficult to prevent.