According to the Ministry of Health, over 600 children in the Ayeyarwady Region have been diagnosed with dengue fever so far this year. As of June 12, nine have died as a result of the disease.
“Currently, there have been 611 cases, and nine deaths. It is imperative that preventative measures against mosquito breeding are carried out right now, or else the situation could become more dangerous,” explained Assistant Director Dr. Myat Min Tun of the Ayeyarwady Regional Public Health Department at a press conference, as quoted by 7Day.
One father who lost his child to dengue also spoke at the conference, pleading other adults to take precaution so as not to go through what he did. “My daughter died because of one mosquito… I don’t want this to happen to other parents, so please make sure your children don’t get bitten by mosquitoes,” he said.
In 2016, the region recorded 843 dengue cases — the lowest in recent years; in 2015, there were over 6,400 recorded cases. Considering that the rainy season has just begun this year, authorities are worried that the number of dengue cases will continue to take a drastic rise unless precautionary measures are urgently taken.
Dengue is most prevalent among children between the ages of 5 and 14. Although the disease does occur year-round, it becomes particularly concerning during the rainy season which creates prime breeding conditions for mosquitoes.
Myanmar’s deadliest dengue outbreak was in 1994, when an epidemic claimed 444 lives.
The most effective way to avoid dengue infection is to avoid mosquito bites by staying in air-conditioned or well-screened housing, wearing protective clothing, using mosquito repellent, and by reducing mosquito habitats within the home, especially pools of stagnant water.
