TANANARIVE, March 13 (Xinhuanet) -- An eastern island of Madagascar has been hit by Dengue fever, with dozens of people being hospitalized each day, local health officials reported Monday.

    A medic on the island of Sainte-Marie said between 30 and 50 people were being sent to the only hospital on the island each dayand that the medical services there could not cope with the numberof new cases turning up.

    According to the Health Ministry, a four-member medical team had been sent to the island to conduct an investigation. Authorities had also begun to spray insecticide to kill mosquitoes,which carry the virus.

    Dengue is an acute, infectious tropical disease caused by an arbovirus which is transmitted by mosquitoes, and is characterizedby high fever, rashes, headaches, and severe muscular and joint pain.

    With only seven medics serving 20,700 inhabitants on the island,Sainte-Marie lacks the resources to fight the epidemic or ensure enough sanitation. Enditem