Arakan State reports 963 dengue fever cases so far this year

By Admin 22 Jul 2023

DMG Newsroom
22 July 2023, Sittwe

There were 963 cases of dengue fever recorded in Arakan State from January to July 21 of this year and no fatalities were reported, according to the Arakan State Department of Public Health (DPH).

There were 206 cases of dengue fever reported in Kyaukphyu Township, followed by Sittwe with 170. Most dengue fever cases were children under the age of 15.

“Adults also have dengue fever. The children with dengue fever are of school age. They get dengue fever due to mosquito bites,” Dr. Zaw Zaw Aung, assistant director of the Arakan State DPH, told DMG.

The Arakan State capital Sittwe accounted for 170 of this year’s cases to date, with Ponnagyun Township reporting 49 cases; Pauktaw Township recording 57; Rathedaung Township having 15; Mrauk-U Township tallying 33; and KyauktawTownship logging 49.

There were 27 cases of dengue fever in Minbya, seven in Myebon, 15 each in Maungdaw and Ann, 40 in Buthidaung, 18 in Ramree, 64 in Thandwe, 16 in Gwa, 164 in Taungup and 18 in Manaung.

Cases of dengue fever have been on the rise in Arakan State following the cyclonic storm of May 14 — there were 88 cases in May, 491 cases in June and 356 cases in July.

Cases of the mosquito-borne dengue fever have become more common due to an increase in garbage and the lack of proper drainage and sanitation around houses and drains in townships in post-cyclone Arakan State, according to the Arakan State DPH.

There are more than 50 people, young and old, who are sick and in need of healthcare services in Pyainetaw Village, Rathedaung Township, which has a population of more than 1,000.

“There are no hospitals in our village or in the neighbouring villages. If the residents are sick, they have to go to downtown Rathedaung for medical treatment. Some cannot afford to go to downtown Rathedaung for medical treatment. We would like to request health workers to come to our village and provide healthcare services to locals,” said Ko David, a local man from Pyainetaw Village.

Health officials have urged residents from remote villages to go to their nearest health centre and receive medical treatment in case of dengue fever.

Every year the Arakan State health department conducts dengue-related health education campaigns in the townships.

“To prevent the spread of dengue fever, people need to keep mosquitoes out of their homes. The health department is also spraying the affected areas around houses. It is important to change the water to keep your home and environment clean,” Dr. Zaw Zaw Aung said.

According to figures from the DPH, Arakan State reported 2,306 dengue fever cases and five associated deaths in 2022. There were 421 cases and one death in Arakan State in 2021.