Dengue fever is spread by mosquitoes and is most common during the rainy season when mosquitoes are more frequent.

According to Dr. Min Tin Htay, the head of Thanbyuzayat Township Hospital, from April until June 2015, about 170 children were sent to Thanbyuzayat Town Public Hospital suffering from dengue fever.

He said: “The rate of patients [infected] 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 larvae and the mosquitoes an opportunity to spawn. This year transmission of dengue fever is slightly higher than last year. Of the 170 children admitted to the hospital one died from the fever. After being admitted to Thanbyuzayat Hospital, the child was sent to Moulmein [hospital]. However, the child died whilst in care.”

Generally the rate of dengue infection amongst children aged five to nine years is higher than the rate of infection amongst adults.

Dr. Min Tin Htay said: “We started receiving patients diagnosed with dengue fever in April. Today, some patients were transferred to Moulmein Hospital. Most of the patients are children who are of school age. So far, I have seen only 3 adults at Thanbyuzayat Hospital; one was 15 years old, another was 17 and the last one was 19 years old.”

In Mon State, the township with the highest incidence of dengue fever infection is Paung Township, followed by Moulmein Township and then 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, an aching body, severe headaches, abdominal pain and skin rashes. There is no known vaccine for the fever, avoidance of mosquito bites is the best protection.

Because children are the most affected by the disease it is recommended that they wear long sleeves and trousers at all times to protect themselves. They must also sleep under mosquito nets, whether it is during the day or at night. It is also advisable to cover any ground holes or places where mosquito larvae can live. Even old plastic bottles, and broken cooking pots where water can gather should be buried.

According to a Ministry of Health statement more than 10,000 people are affected by dengue fever annually, with around 60 fatal cases per year.

The Ministry of Health urged that any child showing signs of dengue fever must be sent to a clinic or hospital immediately and must be provided with treatment.

Edited in English by Mark Inkey for BNI