Mosquitoes are more dangerous than tigers
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Dengue fever has already claimed 50 lives in Laos so far this year, out of some 14,000 people who had been infected with the virus up to June 25.
But Laos has still not reached the peak period for dengue infections, which traditionally occurs in September and October.
Epidemiologists from the Vientiane Health Department have estimated that there could be around 28,000 people infected with dengue fever this year, and some 250 fatalities if current projections are correct. They also said that about 253 billion kip (Bt950 million) will be spent unless a cheap and effective treatment is found to combat the virus this year.
To ease the gravity of the situation, people from all walks of life are being urged to do what they can to prevent the spread of dengue. Prevention is far better than cure in this case. Villagers do not need any money to regularly empty water that has collected in old tyres, tins and jars, and which will become mosquito breeding sites if left alone.
But if you or your family members fall ill, you will need at least 500,000 kip for just one week of medical costs.
If you don’t want any of your family members to become a dengue patient or worse, you are strongly urged to follow the advice to clear out any potential mosquito breeding sites. In addition, you should sleep under a mosquito net both during the day and at night to avoid being bitten. People who feel ill, have a temperature of 38 degrees Celsius or above and develop a bad headache are advised to get a blood test as soon as possible.
These are some of the symptoms caused by the dengue virus. People should not try to take medicine at home without first consulting a doctor. Epidemiologists agree that people suffering from dengue should be treated within seven days, called the “seven dangerous days”. Doctors also say that all deaths caused by dengue occurred because the patient presented to the hospital too late, when the virus had developed to a very serious stage.
With the number of dengue patients on the rise and the expected medical and other expenses rising to billions of kip this year, it is fair to say that “the dengue mosquito is more dangerous than the tiger”. Please get rid of any stagnant water right now if you don’t want yourself or your family members to be added to the list of dengue sufferers this year.
