Nearly 50 dengue cases in Arakan from February to June

By Min Tun 03 Jun 2020

Min Tun | DMG
3 June, Sittwe

The Department of Public Health (DPH) under the Ministry of Health and Sports has reported 48 cases of dengue fever in Arakan State during the period from February 1 to June 1 of this year.

Sittwe recorded the most dengue cases, at 20, while Taungup came in second with seven; Thandwe had five cases; Ponnagyun, four; and a dozen cases were reported across the remainder of Arakan State’s townships, said Dr. Zaw Zaw Aung, Deputy Medical Superintendent from the DPH.

The majority of dengue fever patients who were hospitalised for medical treatment were infants under the age of 1, according to the DPH.

In an attempt to protect people from dengue fever, the DPH has reportedly been conducting awareness campaigns in Arakan State, including the use of loudspeakers and distribution of vinyl posters with information about the mosquito-borne illness.

“If a dengue fever case is reported, we go there at once. We spray disinfectant at the area where dengue fever cases are reported and plan to send the patient to the hospital swiftly. I think we would be able to control any dengue fever outbreak thanks to our quick response,” Dr. Zaw Zaw Aung said.

According to DPH data, Arakan State saw 1,808 dengue fever cases and eight deaths in 2019.