ZCZC
BFF-12
MYANMAR-DENGUE-DECREASE
Dengue fever outbreak rate declines by half in Myanmar
YANGON, Aug. 12, 2018 (BSS/XINHUA) – The outbreak rate of dengue
haemorrhagic fever (DHF) dropped by half in the first eight months of this
year as of Aug. 4 compared with the same period of last year, the official
Global New Light of Myanmar reported Sunday.
During the period, 11,750 people were infected with the DHF. Of them,
there were 59 fatalities against more than 100 correspondingly last year, the
Ministry of Health and Sports was quoted as saying.
In Sagaing region alone covering Yinmabin, Kale, Pale, Monywa and Salingyi
townships, the outbreak of DHF has infected 950 people with eight deaths
during the period.
DHF, which mainly affects children under 15 years old, occurred mostly in
Ayayawaddy and Yangon regions and Mon state and the disease is spread by the
bite of an infected mosquito and was common only in the rainy season
previously but it has occurred throughout the year.
Statistics showed that in 2017, more than 31,000 people were infected with
the mosquito-borne disease across the country. Of them, there were 192
fatalities with 27 being above 17 years old.
Overcrowding, lack of sanitation, unhygienic water storage are blamed for
the outbreaks of the infectious disease.
BSS/XINHUA/GMR/1010 hrs