¡¡¡¡SAN JOSE, April 23 (Xinhuanet) -- Over 1,370 people have been contaminated with dengue virus in Costa Rica this year although itis now dry season here, local radio said on Tuesday.

¡¡¡¡According to the Public Health Minister, to date the disease has mostly spread in the Central-Pacific and South Regions, where 793 people have been infected, a severe outbreak considered by sanitary authorities.

¡¡¡¡Acting Health Minister Lidieth Carballo Quesada said that most of the hotspots are in Orotina, the province of Puntarenas, San Matero and Alajuela, which registered the disease early last March.

¡¡¡¡At the same time, there is an outbreak at the municipality of Aguirre, Puntarenas, where 83 people received medical attendance last week, said the official who considers that such outbreaks areunder control.

¡¡¡¡Since the virus reappeared in Costa Rica in 1983, 64,825 peoplehave been infected, said the ministry.

¡¡¡¡As winter is approaching, Health Ministry authorities urge again to eliminate the nests of Aedes Aegypti mosquito, the vectorof dengue. Enditem