10 July

While we are staying vigilant to remain safe from the coronavirus, the dengue outbreak has been looming steadily on the horizon in this rainy season.

Twelve people have died of Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) in our country from January to 6th July, according to the Ministry of Health and Sports.

Meanwhile, eight cases have been found in Pantanaw, Ayeyawady Region, yesterday. 

This is only the start of the peak dengue season and the number of dengue cases is often observed to increase at the beginning of the four-month rainy season, which starts in June. 

Dengue should not be taken lightly, as it has directly affected more people than COVID-19. Just because we are battling COVID we should not forget other dangers, such as dengue and chikungunya, which strike during the rainy season.

In 2019, over 20,000 people were infected with the mosquito-borne disease with 123 deaths. 

According to the Ministry of Health and Sports, the number of dengue cases in 2017, 2018 and 2019 reached about 80,000, with some 450 deaths. 

Limiting dengue outbreaks requires rapid action; early warning systems need to be prompt and efficient. Detecting a dengue outbreak in its early stages means fewer people get sick. If fewer people suffer, then the cost of treating and containing the disease is significantly less.

In the rainy season, we should also focus on other diseases, such as waterborne diseases and influenza, along with leptospirosis, which occurs during the rainy season.

This year, containing these illnesses will be more difficult due to the coronavirus pandemic, which could affect the operationalization of the standard operating procedure (SOP) that governments follow to keep other diseases under control.

This year, the problem is further complicated because the symptoms (fever, sore throat and body ache) of Covid-19, dengue and malaria, and a few other diseases such as typhoid and common flu overlap. 

While battling with the COVID-19, regional health authorities and sanitation workers have been conducting home inspections and educate residents on what they can do to protect themselves from the disease and to prevent mosquito breeding at home following the SOP procedures.

The SOP includes fumigating and treating water with larvicide to kill the mosquito larvae, making drains flow properly, checking houses for stagnant water and public outreach on protocols related to these illnesses. 

Containing the dengue outbreak depends on how we systematically and effectively manage the public health services. 

The regional governments will have to do their best to identify manpower and resources for following prevention guidelines. Citizens must be careful and take precautions..