Arakan State reports nearly 1,500 dengue cases, one death so far this year

By Admin 09 Sep 2023

DMG Newsroom   
9 September 2023, Sittwe

There were 1,449 cases of dengue fever recorded in Arakan State from January to September 8 of this year, with one death attributed to the mosquito-borne illness, according to the Arakan State Department of Public Health (DPH).

Dengue cases in Arakan State were relatively low in the early part of 2023, but have increased significantly in the post-Cyclone Mocha period.

There were 89 dengue fever cases in May, 497 cases in June, 485 cases in July, one death and 290 cases in August, and 45 cases through September 8.

The Arakan State capital Sittwe accounted for 357 of this year’s cases to date, with Kyaukphyu Township reporting 250 cases, Taungup Township rounding out the top three with 172 and the lone fatality reported in Sittwe.

Pauktaw Township accounted for 98 of this year’s cases to date, with Ponnagyun Township reporting 75 cases; Kyauktaw Township recording 59; Mrauk-U Township having 44; Minbya Township tallying 66; Myebon logging 18; and Rathedaung recording 26. There were 89 cases of dengue fever in Buthidaung, 35 in Maungdaw, 23 each in Ramree, 30 in Manaung, 21 in Ann, 67 in Thandwe, and 19 in Gwa.

“People should eat more vegetables to boost their immunity to prevent dengue fever. It is important to eat nutritious food, not to lose sleep, and to wash your hands,” said Dr. Zaw Zaw Aung, assistant director of the Arakan State DPH.

A mosquito-borne tropical disease, dengue fever can infect all people, regardless of age or gender, but is most common among children under age 15, the DPH has warned.

Dengue cases have become more common due to an increase in garbage accumulations and a lack of proper drainage and sanitation around houses and drains, according to the Arakan State DPH.

“Since the storm, many people in the displacement camp have had dengue fever,” said Daw Tha Nu Phyu, an IDP woman from the Tin Nyo displacement camp in Mrauk-U Township. “There are not enough mosquito nets, and because of the floods, there are more mosquitoes. I want the relevant authorities to spray mosquito repellants inside the displacement camp and provide mosquito nets to the internally displaced people.”

Spraying mosquito repellents and other dengue prevention and control efforts are being carried out in all 17 Arakan State townships during the rainy season, but it is difficult to reach the remote and difficult-to-access areas, Arakan State DPH officials said.

According to figures from the DPH, Arakan State reported 2,306 dengue fever cases and five associated deaths last year. There were 421 cases and one death in Arakan State in 2021, according to data compiled by the Arakan State DPH.