Myanmar: Increased rates of dengue fever in Yangon

Event

The number of dengue fever cases in the capital city of Yangon increased four-fold from January to April 2017, with a total of 954 cases (including four deaths), compared to the same period in 2016 (which saw 214 cases). Yangon’s Hlinethaya and Dala townships have reported the most cases so far.

Context

Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne disease found mostly in urban and semi-urban areas. Symptoms of classic dengue fever include fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, fatigue, nausea, and rash. Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) is a potentially deadly complication that is characterized by high fever, enlargement of the liver, and hemorrhaging. Health experts blame a lack of sanitation and unhygienic water storage for these most recent dengue fever outbreaks.

Advice

Individuals in Myanmar are advised to consume only bottled or purified water, avoid foods that cannot be thoroughly cooked, peeled, or disinfected, and to protect themselves against mosquitoes (e.g. by wearing covering clothing, using insect repellent, and sleeping under mosquito-netting or in an air conditioned room).  Dengue-carrying mosquitoes will bite both during the day and night. Those presenting symptoms should seek medical advice.