Sharp rise in dengue deaths

[geovalin]

A Health Ministry official yesterday said more people died last year after contracting dengue fever than in 2017. Huy Rekol, director of the National Centre for Parasitology, Entomology and Malaria, said that according to a report by his organisation there were 24,684 cases with 23 deaths last year, a sharp rise when compared to 2017’s 6,372 cases with three deaths.

 

Mr Rekol said the increase was due to last year’s seasonal cycle and climate change.

.“The number of dengue fever cases in 2018 was much higher than in 2017 due to a seasonal cycle of every five to six years in tropical Asia and also climate change,” he said, noting that cases last year happened mostly in Phnom Penh, Kampong Chhnang, Preah Vihear, Siem Reap, Kratie, Kampong Thom, Kampong Cham, Oddar Meanchey and Banteay Meanchey provinces.

 

“We make a lot of effort to prevent dengue fever. Our work has been successful in preventing it,” Mr Rekol said. “This year we are still in the seasonal cycle.” “We must still take precaution against a possible outbreak,” he added. “But it’s not only in Cambodia – other countries in Asia are also taking precautionary measures to anticipate a dengue outbreak.”

 

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