At least 73 people have died of hemorrhagic dengue fever this year, according to the national epidemiology institute. Director Luis Lara said that although the cases still need to be investigated in order to confirm the cause of death, the mortality rate seemed high. He felt the number of cases and consequent deaths to be “worrying, but not alarming,” and advised people to be watchful for symptoms, which include fever, aching head and body, bleeding gums and nosebleeds, and blood in vomit. Anyone displaying such symptoms should be hospitalized immediately, said Lara. He described the situation as an outbreak rather than an epidemic. This year 4,430 cases of dengue fever have been reported in total – twice as many as in 2002. The reported cases of hemorrhagic dengue have also risen, from 78 last year to 189 so far in 2003.