|
|
DISASTER NEWS
Cambodia appeals
for dengue aid, while region continues dengue
fight
26 Jun
2007
Cambodia has
been hard hit by by a major dengue outbreak
this year, leading the impoverished nation
to appeal for international aid to help it
fight the disease. Dengue fever has already
killed more Cambodian children early on in
this year's June-September wet season than
in previous years, hitting almost all
provinces across the country. Ngan Chanta,
head of Cambodia's anti-dengue program said,
"We cannot contain the virus with out
limited resources. We need foreign help."
Dengue is primarily affecting children, so
far claiming the lives of 138 out of the
12,700 children infected, already surpassing
the death toll last year of 116 children.
Per Ngan Chanta, the country needs
US$500,000 immediately to purchase
larvicides for use against mosquito-breeding
areas, as dengue is transmitted by the Aedes
aegypti mosquito. Much of Cambodia's public
health funding comes from foreign aid, with
the World Bank estimating government
spending on health to be US$3 per person.
Meanwhile, other countries in Southeast Asia
also continue to fight against dengue. In
the Philippines, Western Visayas reported
this week a total of 552 cases with five
fatalities. Dr. Glen Alonsabe,
epidemiologist from the Department of
Health-Center for Health and Development 6,
said the number of cases and deaths is
considered very alarming. Dengue's peak
months are usually July and August, thus
this early surge of cases is prompting
officials to intensify their education
drive. Elsewhere, following Singapore's
declaration of epidemic levels of dengue
cases last week, Singapore's National
Environment Agency continues to dispatch 500
inspectors to conduct house-to-house
searches to destroy mosquito-breeding areas.
Although Singapore has the lowest dengue
fatality rate in the region with only two
deaths, it's 3000 cases still mark an
infection rate that is extremely high for
this developed island state. Singapore's
dengue battle has led the
technologically-advanced country to the
forefront of research and knowledge about
the disease, however results remain slow as
dengue is difficult to treat and impossible
to quarantine given its mosquito-borne
vector. Thailand has also seen 14 fatalities
among 11,000 reported cases, and Malaysia
has seen 48 deaths among over 20,000
reported cases. Dengue infects approximately
50 million people annually. Symptoms include
sudden onset of high fever, headache, joint
and muscle pain, nausea, and a rash, and can
be fatal in severe cases.
|
|
