The dengue fever outbreak in Rakhine State’s Ponnagyun township has claimed one life, and is overrunning Sittwe Hospital.
U Yin Aung, 73, passed away on June 7 while being treated at Sittwe Hospital, according to locals.
Dengue fever has been spreading in Sa Par Htar Village since the end of May, and appeared to have gotten worse after the village was hit by Cyclone Mora.
The Ponnagyun township health department has not yet inspected the village or done a survey to establish a count of the villagers affected by dengue. Those who can afford to have travelled to Sittwe for medical care.
Over 50 Sa Par Htar villagers have been admitted to Sittwe Hospital, while around 30 were discharged. Currently, over 10 patients remain hospitalized, and another 10 are staying at the Kha Maung Taw Monastery while trying to get medical treatment for their suspected dengue symptoms, according to U Aye Tun, one of the villagers staying at the monastery.
People of all ages appear to have contracted dengue fever in Sa Par Htar Village.
“My son has been seeking treatment at Sittwe Hospital as he is bleeding from his nose and ears. A mother and a son are also sick at the village,” said Daw May Chay.
Dengue is a virus transmitted by mosquitoes. For most people, the flu-like symptoms subside after about a week, but the more severe form, dengue hemorrhagic fever, can cause organ damage, severe bleeding and death. As there is no cure for the illnesses, medical treatment tends to involve managing symptoms.
In anticipation of an epidemic of dengue cases this year, the Public Health Department last month called for increasing preventative measures, such as fumigating public places, eliminating any standing water and cleaning the sewer.
In Sa Par Htar Village, each of the 380 households have been asked to pay between K2,000 K3,000 to have their home sprayed with insecticide. Insecticide was not sprayed on households that could not afford the fee, villagers said.
According to the health department, nearly 2,000 dengue cases were reported in the first three months of 2017.
