Three patients suspected of having dengue fever in Najran have been treated and released from a local hospital, according to an official.

Saleh Mounis, general director of the Health Affairs Department in Najran, said the three patients were isolated and their test samples sent to the central laboratory in Riyadh.

Mounis told local media that the department’s role was to treat those infected and to conduct awareness programs about the disease.

“We visit homes where the illness was detected and spray them with insecticides. We follow up on patients until they are fully cured,” said Mounis.

He said the three people were suspected of having dengue fever. “Nonetheless, the patients were treated and left the hospital in good condition. Citizens need not worry,” he said.

He said Najran Gov. Prince Meshal bin Abdullah followed up on the cases. “He was informed that the situation is under control and has not become an epidemic.”

Meanwhile, Mounis said the new hospital in Najran has been delayed for five years because of problems including its location, the maintenance of the medical systems and electricity issues.

He said the hospital would be called Najran Hospital, and revealed that discussions were taking place with the Ministry of Finance to build a medical tower at the location of the old hospital.