Sai Mon – Mon State has seen a rise in dengue hemorrhagic fever from last year. The fever occurs during rainy season and severely affects children.
According to Dr. Min Tin Htay, the head of Thanbyuzayat Township Hospital, from April until June 2015, about 170 children have been sent to Thanbyuzayat Town Public Hospital as patients of dengue fever.
“The rate of patients with dengue fever is going up. This is because of the weather. Because it rains for some time and then becomes hot [sunny], it is giving the mosquito larva and mosquito an opportunity to spawn. During this year, the dengue fever transmission is slightly higher than last year. Of the 170 children admitted at the hospital, one died from the fever. After being admitted at Thanbyuzayat Hospital, the kid was sent to Moulmein [hospital]. However, that kid died whilst in care,” said Dr. Min Tin Htay.
In general, the rate of dengue-affected children who are between 5 and 9 years old is higher compared to full grown adults.
“We started receiving patients diagnosed with dengue fever in April. Today, there were some patients transferred to Moulmein Hospital. Most of the patients are children who are at the age of going to school. I have seen only 3 adults so far at thus Thanbyuzayat Hospital; one is 15 years old, another is 17 and the last one is 19 years old,” said Dr. Min Tin Htay.
In Mon State, the township that has the highest incidence of people affected with dengue fever is Paung Township, followed by Moulmein Township and thirdly Ye Township. However, people in Kyaikmayaw, Mudon and Thanbyuzayat townships are also suffering from the fever.
Dengue fever is a viral disease that is spread by the Aedes or commonly named Yellow-fever mosquito. Symptoms of dengue fever include a high temperature, bodily aches, severe headaches, abdominal pain and skin rashes. There is no known vaccine for the fever, avoidance of mosquito bites is the best protection.
Due to the majority of affected people being children, to protect and prevent them from the fever it is recommended that they wear long sleeves and trousers, children must sleep in mosquito nets whether it is day time or night. It is also advisable to cover any ground holes or places where mosquito larva can live. Even bury all opened plastic bottles, and broken cooking pots where water can be left.
According to Ministry of Health’s released statement, more than 10,000 people are affected from dengue fever annually and with around 60 fatal cases per year.
The Ministry of Health urged that every child who is found to have signs of dengue fever must be sent to a clinic or hospital immediately and must be provided treatment.
