Honduras has declared a state of emergency due to an outbreak of dengue fever that has already killed 16 people.

The disease, which causes high fever and joint pains, has been confirmed in over 12,000 people. Doctors say that in more than 1,800 cases there is a real risk of internal bleeding and death.

The government has been fumigating buildings across the country, especially places people gather in large groups like churches.

Health minister Salvador Pineda told the BBC that half the municipalities have reported cases of the disease. The World Health Organization says that cases of dengue fever have increased 30 fold over the last half century.

The worst outbreak of dengue fever was in 2010 when 83 people died.