Health officials have warned parents not to treat children with fever at home, as dengue fever has already begun affecting children under the age of 15 in Mon State.
Although dengue cases during the early rainy season are currently only about 5 percent of last year’s level, health workers are urging both medical staff and parents to remain alert and avoid complacency, according to a health worker from Chaungzon Township.
“At the moment, there are only one or two cases in each ward. However, we are advising families to take sick children to hospitals or clinics. If children are treated only at home with medicine, their condition could become dangerous. So far, this year is not considered a high-risk year,” the health worker said.
Health officials also stressed that dengue symptoms should not be ignored. Early treatment is important, as severe cases reaching Stage 3 or Stage 4 can become life-threatening.
A health worker from Mawlamyine said that nearly 10 children are currently receiving treatment at hospitals and clinics for dengue symptoms, although none of them is in critical condition.
Dengue cases are more common in densely populated urban areas where drainage systems are poor, garbage blocks waterways, and water is stored in tanks and containers. In rural areas, infections are frequently reported near plantations and rubber farms.
“Cases have started appearing, but only in a few households. We are carrying out mosquito control measures, including insecticide spraying and inspections of potential breeding sites. We expect the situation to remain stable this year. We are trying to prevent further spread before the number of cases increases,” another health worker said.
Dengue fever is spread through the bite of infected Aedes mosquitoes, which breed in clean water. Health workers are encouraging the public to regularly follow the dengue prevention practice of “Cover, Empty, Change and Filter” water containers to prevent mosquito breeding.
The State Health Department under the military junta is conducting public awareness campaigns, mosquito control activities, larvicide treatment and insecticide spraying to prevent dengue outbreaks during the rainy season.
According to Ministry of Health data, Mon State experienced a dengue outbreak in 2025, with some patients reaching the most severe Stage 4 level. Around 1,000 dengue cases were reported during May and June of that year.
