15 March, 2006

International Dengue Outbreaks Continue in February 2006

The incidence of dengue and the number of countries affected by the disease continued to rise throughout the month of February. The occurrence of the disease in all forms—classic dengue fever, dengue hemorrhagic fever, and dengue hemorrhagic shock—in locations around the world signifies the importance of prevention through mosquito control, as the vector’s presence throughout the world puts many populations at risk. Within the existing public health infrastructure, many countries are actively seeking to contain the outbreaks and eradicate mosquito breeding grounds.

THE MALDIVES: In the beginning of February, the incidence of disease and people seeking treatment remained constant [1]. However, as February progressed, the number of deaths due to dengue fever rose, as well as the number of people infected with dengue, particularly in Male and the atolls. The number of new cases per day rose to 10-12. At least 2 new cases of dengue hemorrhagic fever or dengue hemorrhagic shock were also reported daily. As of mid-February, two children and one man have died from dengue. The Health Ministry advised to treat the disease with Paracetamol to treat the fever, and to avoid contact with mosquitoes [2].

EL SALVADOR: During the last week of January, 107 cases of dengue fever were reported in El Salvador, including 85 from urban areas and 22 from rural areas. By the beginning of February, a total of 435 cases had been reported so far this year, which is twice the number reported during the same period in 2005 [3].

SINGAPORE: After suffering its worst outbreak of dengue fever, Singapore has the crisis under control, the Minister for the Environment and Water Resources announced in February. Singapore set aside US$18.4 million to contain the outbreak. Last year, 13,000 people became infected with the disease, which left 19 dead. At its peak in September, 713 new cases were being reported weekly [4]. This number fell to 99 new cases per week in December and 61 per week in January [5]. The number of mosquito breeding sites had also fallen over the past year [4].

COLOMBIA: Although dengue outbreaks are common during the summer months in Colombia, this year has turned more deadly for the city of Yopal. So far this year, Yopal has reported 23 cases of the more deadly form of the illness, dengue hemorrhagic fever – an increase from the 5 cases that occurred in all of 2005. City officials have begun fumigating the area to control spread of the disease [6].

MALAYSIA: Two 14-year-old students who died on February were found to have had dengue, the Health Ministry announced. Both students attended the same school and were admitted to the same hospital. The school campus was found to be free of mosquito breeding and no other students were admitted [7].

BOLIVIA: During the first three weeks of February, 11 cases of dengue fever and one case of dengue hemorrhagic fever were reported. Almost all cases were reported in Santa Cruz, although only one case of classic fever was confirmed [8].

AUSTRALIA: A small outbreak has erupted in Cranbrook, a suburb of Townsville, North Queensland, resulting in 7 cases of dengue fever since late January. This follows a previous outbreak of dengue in the same area from late December to mid-January. An inspection of the area discovered that 8 percent of the properties were found to have mosquito breeding sites on the premises [9]. A new Queensland Government law now allows health inspectors to eradicate mosquito breeding sites without the permission of landowners [10].

INDONESIA: Indonesia had a rising number of dengue patients being evaluated in hospitals in February, most of whom were children. The head of Yogyakarta’s health agency emphasized the importance of mosquito control measures [11]. In Bandarlampung, hospitals treated approximately 30 patients for dengue fever, and three deaths were reported [12].

References:

1. Special programs being planned to control Dengue fever. Haveeru Daily. 2006. Available at: http://www.haveeru.com.mv/?page=engdetails&id=6778. Accessed February 22, 2006.

2. Dengue Fever deaths increasing: Health Ministry. Haveeru Daily. 2006. Available at: http://www.haveeru.com.mv/?page=engdetails&id=6834. Accessed February 22, 2006.

3. Dengue/DHF update 2006 (06). ProMed-mail. 2006. Available at: http://www.promedmail.org/pls/promed/f?p=2400:1001:4689695451267893541::NO::F2400_P1001_BACK_PAGE,F2400_P1001_PUB_MAIL_ID:1010,31934. Accessed February 22, 2006.

4. Dengue situation under control: Yaacob. Channel News Asia. 2006. Available at: http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/192962/1/.html. Accessed March 7, 2006.

5. Singapore says worst dengue outbreak under control. Yahoo! News. 2006. Available at: http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20060213/hl_afp/healthsingaporedengue_060213091417. Accessed March 3, 2006.

6. Officials struggle to stem deadly dengue outbreak. The Daily Journal. 2006. Available at: http://www.thedailyjournalonline.com/article.asp?ArticleId=224275&CategoryId=12393. Accessed March 3, 2006.

7. Mara duo died of dengue, pneumonia causes: Ministry. The Daily Express. 2006. Available at: http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=40568. Accessed March 7, 2006.

8. Dengue/DHF update 2006 (08). ProMed-mail. 2006. Available at: http://www.promedmail.org/pls/promed/f?p=2400:1202:863156620247761349::NO::F2400_P1202_CHECK_DISPLAY,F2400_P1202_PUB_MAIL_ID:X,32152. Accessed March 3, 2006.

9. Two more hit with dengue. Townsville Bulletin. 2006. Available at: http://townsvillebulletin.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,7034,18139048%255E14787,00.html. Accessed February 22, 2006.

10. Health experts have greater power to tackle dengue. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 2006. Available at: http://www.abc.net.au/news/items/200602/1562939.htm?northqld. Accessed February 22, 2006.

11. Dengue/DHF update 2006 (07). ProMed-mail. 2006. Available at: http://www.promedmail.org/pls/promed/f?p=2400:1202:863156620247761349::NO::F2400_P1202_CHECK_DISPLAY,F2400_P1202_PUB_MAIL_ID:X,32037. Accessed March 3, 2006.

12. Dengue/DHF update 2006 (09). ProMed-mail. 2006. Available at: http://www.promedmail.org/pls/promed/f?p=2400:1202:863156620247761349::NO::F2400_P1202_CHECK_DISPLAY,F2400_P1202_PUB_MAIL_ID:X,32236. Accessed March 7, 2006.

Deepu Alex, Carlene Gong, Chelsea Johnson, Cheryl King, Anthony Ho, Katarro Rountree, and Lisa Sani. Graduate Students, Georgetown University Master of Science Program in Biohazardous Threat Agents and Emerging Infectious Diseases. “Emerging Diseases: Past as Prologue” course (Daniel Lucey, MD, MPH, Instructor). Washington, DC