Dengue fever ravages cities

In the first five months of this year, more than 900 cases were reported in Yangon, according to Yangon's Department of Public Health.

"At present, more than 900 cases have been reported in the Yangon Region. It was three times higher than the cases reported in 2014 nationwide,” said Marlar Soe of the department. “Every two or three years, this disease causes a catastrophe. So far this year, the cases are so high that we are taking preventive in the region. In 2013, there were 4,700 cases of the disease.”

Tanintharyi Region’s capital Myeik also sees a high number of dengue fever cases and the children’s hospital is struggling to cope.

Many under-16s have been admitted with dengue fever that has reappeared with the start of the monsoon, affecting urban and rural children.

“There aren’t any space left at the hospital. We had to get more beds from the Sangha Hospital. The staff are trying their best to treat the patients. More than 300 children have been hospitalised and the severity level is at 60,” said a doctor.

Thandar Myo Win, medical superintendent at Myeik General Hospital, said the infection rate peaked every four years and the authorities had made field trips to the wards with the highest infection rates to carry out preventative measures and treatment.

“My child has been in hospital for three days now. There isn’t any space left at the hospital. The doctors on duty have arranged places for the convenience of the patients. No medical fees are being charged. I saw many children seeking treatment for dengue fever at the outpatient ward,” said a father.

The regional health department has issued warnings to wards across Tanintharyi.

Myeik Future Development Company and volunteers have been spraying insecticide in wards.

Public cooperation is needed to prevent dengue fever’s spread by clearing up ponds, changing pots and vases and other places where mosquitoes can hide.

Dengue fever has been rampant in the country, spreading across all areas except Chin State, in the past four decades, according to the Public Health Department.

More than 123,000 people were infected during 2010 to 2014.

According to the Department, the disease was first discovered in Yangon in 1965 and has been under close watch since 1969. It began to spread to Mon State, Bago and Mandalay regions in 1974.

Since 2008, the disease is common in the whole country with the exception of Chin State. It is found mostly in Yangon, Mon, Kayin, Ayeyawady, Mandalay, Nay Pyi Taw, Bago and Sagaing.

The authorities have collected the patients’ data from public and private hospitals since 2013 to keep track of the infection. Last year, 13,086 were infected and 0.32 per cent of them died.

In the first five months of this year, the infection rate is three times faster than the same period of last year.

Children under 10 suffer most from the fever and the fever is rampant in suburban area, according to the data from the department.