About 100,000 people in Ecuador have been affected by malaria, health officials said Monday. Authorities said that with the proper treatment, most of the victims could recover from the illness.
"There are about 100,000 cases of malaria, when normally this time of year there should be no more than 20,000," Health Minister Fernando Bustamente told the Associated Press.

Health officials believe the rise in cases is caused by an increase in breeding sites for malaria-carrying mosquitoes. Floods and stagnant waters have helped facilitate mosquito breeding. At least six people have died recently from the disease, which is marked by fever, chills, nausea and joint pain. In addition, at least 220 people have been infected with dengue fever, which causes muscle and joint pains.

Eight people have died from that illness. Earlier this month, the Health Ministry declared a state of medical emergency in 17 of the nation's 23 provinces, mostly along the Pacific Ocean and on the country's borders with Colombia and Peru.