SUVA, March 4 -- China on Tuesday donated 50,000 U.S. dollars to Fiji's Ministry of Health, assisting the South Pacific island country in its fight against the dengue fever outbreak that has claimed seven lives.

Yang Zhaohui, political counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Fiji, signed the donation agreement with Dr Eloni Tora, permanent secretary of Fiji's Ministry of Health.

"China has always laid great emphasis on Fiji, and we regard Fiji as an important and good friend, partner and brother in this region, and we're building the comprehensive partnership of cooperation," Yang said. "China watches with concern that recently there is an outbreak of dengue fever, and thousands of people got affected. And we know that the Fiji government needs medical aid and financial support in the fight against this outbreak. So today, on behalf of the Chinese government, I would like to donate 50,000 U.S. dollars in support of your fight against this dengue outbreak. "

Yang said the donation is an expression of friendship from China and he hopes that the Fijian government will take effective measures in controlling the outbreak, curing those who are infected and minimizing the impact.

"I want to assure you that the Chinese government and the Chinese people will always stand by the Fiji government and the Fijian people in case of need," Yang added.

On behalf of the Fijian government, Tora expressed his gratitude and said the donation will help his country contain the outbreak.

Fiji has recorded some 3,556 confirmed dengue cases including seven death cases since October last year, Tora told Xinhua.

Dengue fever is caused by the dengue virus which spread from dengue infected individuals to well dengue-free people by the black-and-white striped female Aedes aegypti mosquito when it takes a blood meal.

Once an individual contracts dengue, the person manifests symptoms of the disease four to 10 days later. The typical symptoms of dengue fever include fever (sudden onset), intense headache (especially behind the eyes), muscle and joint pains, flushed skin or rashes on the arms and legs and perhaps minor bleeding of the gums and/or nose. To address this, those infected should visit the nearest health facilities.