HANOI, Oct. 13 (Xinhua) -- Recent heavy rains and flooding in northern Vietnam have increased the risk of dengue fever outbreaks, Vietnam News Agency reported on Monday, citing health experts.

In September alone, the country recorded 21,152 cases of dengue fever and six related deaths, according to the report.

Since the beginning of this year, Vietnam has reported 86,253 infections and 17 fatalities from the mosquito-borne disease.

The Vietnam Administration of Disease Prevention said the most effective measures to prevent dengue fever remain eliminating mosquitoes and larvae and avoiding mosquito bites. ■