Post-cyclone Arakan State witnesses significant increase in dengue fever cases

By Admin 03 Jul 2023

DMG Newsroom
3 July 2023, Sittwe

Twenty-one cases of dengue fever were reported in the Arakan State townships of Sittwe, Ponnagyun, Rathedaung, Kyauktaw, Mrauk-U, Taungup and Kyaukphyu on July 1, according to the Arakan State Department of Public Health (DPH).

“Cases of dengue fever were mainly recorded in Taungup, Kyaukphyu and Sittwe townships,” said Dr. Zaw Zaw Aung, assistant director of the Arakan State DPH.

There were 416 cases of dengue fever reported in Arakan State from January to June of this year: 10 cases in January, four cases in February, three cases in March, 11 cases in April, 79 cases in May and 309 cases in June.

There were 409 cases of dengue fever from May to July 1, a significant spike in the post-Cyclone Mocha period.

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

“My daughter and nephew both have dengue fever. Dengue is scary and I am worried about the children. As children, they don’t know how to defend themselves. My nephew has been put on an oxygen concentrator,” said Daw Yu Nandar Aye, a resident of Kyaukritkay Ward in Mrauk-U.

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.

The Arakan State DPH said it is working on mosquito control to reduce future cases of dengue fever, and is also trying to get the necessary medicines from the Union government.

“Now there are many mosquitoes. … A lot of children get seasonal flu. At this time, parents need to take care of their children,” said a resident of Kyauktaw.

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.