Costa Rica Sees Sharp Surge in Dengue Fever
Costa Rica has seen a sharp surge in dengue fever, a mosquito-borne disease that can be deadly, Costa Rica's health minister warned.

More than 4,4000 cases have been reported since the start of the year, a spike of 51 percent over 2004.

At least half of the cases were contracted on the Caribbean coast of Limon.

According to the World Health Organization, between 50 and 100 million people are infected around the world each year with dengue fever. Dengue hemorrhagic fever, the most serious strain of the disease, kills 20,000 people annually.

There is no known cure or vaccine for dengue fever, characterized by high fevers, headaches and muscle pain.

Once limited to Southeast Asia, dengue hemorrhagic fever has spread to Indian Ocean nations, the South Pacific and Latin America.

Unchecked urbanization, lack of mosquito control programs, natural disasters and poverty exacerbate the spread of the disease.