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Editor, Senior Moderator
Source: http://www.minivannews.com/news/news.php?id=4539
Dengue Fever Outbreak In Maldives
By Olivia Lang in Mal?
June 1, 2008
The country is experiencing an outbreak of dengue fever, with almost 600 cases since January, according to a humanitarian organisation.
Health authorities agree the mosquito-borne disease has witnessed a recent surge. It has left one dead so far this year.
The department of public health (DPH) has said it encourages members of the public to control mosquito breeding spots, and will issue a warning if infections continue to rise through the monsoon season.
Rising Trend
The Maldivian Red Crescent Association, a fledgling NGO affiliated to the International Committee of the Red Crescent, has published a Worldcue travel alert this week on the dengue increase.
Noting the rising number of cases in the Maldives, along with the rising rate of chikungunya, a similar infectious disease, the alert warns travellers and locals to ?avoid exposure to mosquitoes?.
A total of 581 cases were reported from the start of this year to May 17, according to DPH figures, with 62 of these considered serious.
DPH director Geela Ali told Minivan News cases have increased since mid-February.
?The rising trend has been because the rain patterns facilitate breeding,? she said, adding: ?Congestion in Mal?, and people going out and back into the country, make it easier for the disease to spread.?
But, Geela added, the number of infections is still below that of 2006, when six died from the illness. Last year numbers were low, with only 1667 cases.
There have also been 263 cases of chikungunya this year. They have been spread over ten atolls, but two-thirds were in the two islands of Alif Dhaal Maamigili and Alif Dhaal Fenfushi.
Breeding Grounds
The majority of dengue cases were reported in Mal?, with 393 treated at the capital?s Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH). But Geela says not all patients were living in Mal?, as the number also reflected those travelling to the capital for diagnosis.
As one of the world?s most overcrowded cities, Mal? is vulnerable to the disease, which is spread by a particular type of mosquito.
Managing director of Mal??s ADK hospital Mohamed Affal told Minivan News dengue fever usually increases in the rainy season, but is often especially prevalent in Mal? due to construction work.
?There are difficulties in construction sites, especially those left for long periods of time, to be reached by authorities [for treatment?] The pockets of water give very good conditions for [mosquito] breeding,? he said.
There were over 200 construction sites in Mal? last year, and the figure is increasing. DPH director general Fathimath Rasheeda says the department has inspected streets and construction sites in Mal?, Hulhumal? and Villingilli, and treated some areas.
The department also encourages members of the public to help control mosquito breeding spots by draining water containers and destroying discarded containers and items of rubbish.
Epidemic
Dengue appears three to 14 days after an infective bite, with patients suffering from fever, headaches, joint pains and a rash.
Symptoms of dengue haemorrhagic fever, a different variety which affects mainly children, include a high temperature, abdominal pain, vomiting and bleeding.
Affal urged those suffering from a temperature ?not to be complacent when the fever goes down? and to seek testing for dengue within 48 hours.
He also recommends taking steps to reduce effects of the fever, including mild painkillers.
But the World Health Organisation (WHO) advises sufferers not to take aspirin or ibuprofen, as these can exacerbate the problem.
There is no cure or vaccination for dengue, but early clinical diagnosis and management by experienced medical staff increases the survival rate.
Chikungunya causes a sudden fever and debilitating joint pains, and similarly lacks a cure or vaccine.
Worldwide Fever
Since 1979, dengue has become endemic in the Maldives, according to the DPH. It reached a recent peak in 2006, when a clean-up campaign was organised to combat the scourge.
Global dengue incidence has grown dramatically in recent decades, according to the WHO, which notes that ?about two-fifths of the world?s population [is] now at risk.?
The increase in international air travel is facilitating the spread of dengue viruses, which may affect 50 million people every year.
Other countries are also seeing outbreaks, including Sri Lanka and the Philippines
Dengue Fever Outbreak In Maldives
By Olivia Lang in Mal?
June 1, 2008
The country is experiencing an outbreak of dengue fever, with almost 600 cases since January, according to a humanitarian organisation.
Health authorities agree the mosquito-borne disease has witnessed a recent surge. It has left one dead so far this year.
The department of public health (DPH) has said it encourages members of the public to control mosquito breeding spots, and will issue a warning if infections continue to rise through the monsoon season.
Rising Trend
The Maldivian Red Crescent Association, a fledgling NGO affiliated to the International Committee of the Red Crescent, has published a Worldcue travel alert this week on the dengue increase.
Noting the rising number of cases in the Maldives, along with the rising rate of chikungunya, a similar infectious disease, the alert warns travellers and locals to ?avoid exposure to mosquitoes?.
A total of 581 cases were reported from the start of this year to May 17, according to DPH figures, with 62 of these considered serious.
DPH director Geela Ali told Minivan News cases have increased since mid-February.
?The rising trend has been because the rain patterns facilitate breeding,? she said, adding: ?Congestion in Mal?, and people going out and back into the country, make it easier for the disease to spread.?
But, Geela added, the number of infections is still below that of 2006, when six died from the illness. Last year numbers were low, with only 1667 cases.
There have also been 263 cases of chikungunya this year. They have been spread over ten atolls, but two-thirds were in the two islands of Alif Dhaal Maamigili and Alif Dhaal Fenfushi.
Breeding Grounds
The majority of dengue cases were reported in Mal?, with 393 treated at the capital?s Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH). But Geela says not all patients were living in Mal?, as the number also reflected those travelling to the capital for diagnosis.
As one of the world?s most overcrowded cities, Mal? is vulnerable to the disease, which is spread by a particular type of mosquito.
Managing director of Mal??s ADK hospital Mohamed Affal told Minivan News dengue fever usually increases in the rainy season, but is often especially prevalent in Mal? due to construction work.
?There are difficulties in construction sites, especially those left for long periods of time, to be reached by authorities [for treatment?] The pockets of water give very good conditions for [mosquito] breeding,? he said.
There were over 200 construction sites in Mal? last year, and the figure is increasing. DPH director general Fathimath Rasheeda says the department has inspected streets and construction sites in Mal?, Hulhumal? and Villingilli, and treated some areas.
The department also encourages members of the public to help control mosquito breeding spots by draining water containers and destroying discarded containers and items of rubbish.
Epidemic
Dengue appears three to 14 days after an infective bite, with patients suffering from fever, headaches, joint pains and a rash.
Symptoms of dengue haemorrhagic fever, a different variety which affects mainly children, include a high temperature, abdominal pain, vomiting and bleeding.
Affal urged those suffering from a temperature ?not to be complacent when the fever goes down? and to seek testing for dengue within 48 hours.
He also recommends taking steps to reduce effects of the fever, including mild painkillers.
But the World Health Organisation (WHO) advises sufferers not to take aspirin or ibuprofen, as these can exacerbate the problem.
There is no cure or vaccination for dengue, but early clinical diagnosis and management by experienced medical staff increases the survival rate.
Chikungunya causes a sudden fever and debilitating joint pains, and similarly lacks a cure or vaccine.
Worldwide Fever
Since 1979, dengue has become endemic in the Maldives, according to the DPH. It reached a recent peak in 2006, when a clean-up campaign was organised to combat the scourge.
Global dengue incidence has grown dramatically in recent decades, according to the WHO, which notes that ?about two-fifths of the world?s population [is] now at risk.?
The increase in international air travel is facilitating the spread of dengue viruses, which may affect 50 million people every year.
Other countries are also seeing outbreaks, including Sri Lanka and the Philippines
