VIENTIANE, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Everyone needs to remain vigilant in preventing possible outbreaks of dengue fever even though the rainy season is over, a leading Lao health official has cautioned.

Director General of the National Center for Laboratory and Epidemiology under the Lao Ministry of Health, Onechanh Keosavanh, reiterated to media the need for preventive measures against dengue, local daily Vientiane Times reported Tuesday.

He said although mosquitoes peak during the rainy season, dengue remained a threat at this time of year and householders need to regularly clean up potential mosquito breeding sites around their homes and businesses.

"In combating dengue the cooperation of villagers is necessary to wipe out mosquito breeding grounds. At the same time all local communities need access to information about the fight against dengue," the daily quoted Onechanh as saying.

The Lao Ministry of Health is calling on officials and local authorities to closely monitor their areas in the fight against dengue and urge communities to clear potential mosquito breeding sites to help curb the spread of the virus.

Initiatives include closing and sealing all containers, emptying water jars and bowls, putting guppy fish into water vessels, cleaning areas surrounding residences, and remembering to do these tasks regularly.

From January to October this year, the National Center for Laboratory and Epidemiology recorded 5,654 cases of dengue fever with 15 deaths in Laos.