Palau's public health director says dengue fever has reached epidemic levels, and a reduced budget may make it difficult to combat the debilitating and potentially deadly disease.

Dr. Stevenson says 31 dengue cases have been reported since August 1 and he warns that six percent of those who contract dengue in Palau could die because of lack of financial resources.

He said most of the recent cases were school children.

Dr Kuartei says Palau's leadership must make the current dengue outbreak a national priority and recommends activating Palau's National Avian Flu Influenza and Emergency Infection Task Force.