watch out for those mosquitoes

[cowboy 0]

If you are a mosquitoe magnet like me it might be worth your while to wera repelant if you are heading to the villages or palces like Cambodia or Vietnam.

from Yahoo.com story

 

JAKARTA (Reuters) - Southeast Asian nations are battling a surge in dengue cases, amid signs that climate change could make 2007 the worst year on record for a disease that often gets less attention than some higher-profile health risks.

The spread of dengue, which is transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito and is endemic in much of the region, has also accelerated in recent years due to increasing urbanization and travel or migration within the region, experts say.

Efforts to develop a vaccine are proving difficult because dengue can be caused by four viruses. So the only real method to fight the disease at present is to eliminate likely breeding spots for mosquitoes from discarded tyres to plant pots.

"The threat of dengue is increasing because of global warming, mosquitoes are becoming more active year by year and their geographical reach is expanding both north and south of the Equator," said Lo Wing-lok, an expert in infectious diseases.

"Even Singapore, which is so affluent and modern, can't exercise adequate control," Hong Kong-based Lo added.

Dengue cases in Hong Kong usually involve people returning from hotter parts of Asia, but Lo warned that warmer temperatures meant the disease could ultimately become endemic in southern China.

Dengue sufferers often describe the onset of high fever, nausea and intense joint pain. There is no real treatment, apart from rest and rehydration, and in severe cases it can be fatal.

In Indonesia, where concerns over bird flu more frequently grab headlines, dengue saw a dramatic peak earlier this year after much of the Jakarta area was flooded.

"It's not so much the rise in temperature that affects dengue, rather the rising rainfall has lengthened the lifespan of the epidemic each season," said Wiku Adisasmito, a dengue expert at the University of Indonesia.

The Asian Development Bank developed a model suggesting that dengue might rise three-fold in Indonesia due to climate change.

By last month there had been 68,636 cases and 748 deaths so far this year, according to Health Ministry data.

Although cases are slowing at the end of the wet season, experts warn that 2006's record 106,425 cases could easily be overtaken. The record number of deaths was 1,298 in 2005.

ANTI-DENGUE CAMPAIGNS

The picture looks similar in neighboring countries.

Thailand had more than 11,000 cases of dengue fever and 14 deaths by this month, up 18 percent from the same period of 2006.

In May, the worst month, 3,649 people were found with dengue.

Most patients were between 10-24 years old, Deputy Public Health Minister Morakot Kornkasem said in a statement.

The number of dengue cases in Singapore last month was nearly three times that in the same period a year ago, according to the government, which says warmer weather was partly to blame.

The surge in cases has prompted the government to step up its anti-dengue campaign, urging Singaporeans to clear roofs and gutters, and throw out stale water in containers.

Between May 20 and 26, there were 259 dengue cases according to the Straits Times newspaper, the highest weekly figure this year, but below the weekly record of 714 cases in September 2005.

In Malaysia, 48 people died from dengue during the first five months of the year, health officials said, up roughly 71 percent from 2006. By May 26, 20,658 people had caught the disease, a surge of 55 percent over the corresponding 2006 figure.

"We are concerned over the increase and we need everyone to cooperate with the authorities to fight the menace," Health Ministry official Hasan Abdul Rahman told the New Straits Times

recently.

Prevailing weather patterns of hot days punctuated by a day of rain have worsened the problem.

"There is no medicine to cure dengue fever, so the only treatment is to have a lot of electrolytes," said Noranita Badrun, a Kuala Lumpur resident whose daughter, Nurin Syakilah, spent a week in hospital in April battling the disease.

If not diagnosed early, dengue can kill, but Nurin, who received 18 bottles of intravenous fluids during her hospital stay, recovered soon and is back at school, where two other students also had the disease, Noranita said.

(Additional reporting by Tan Ee lyn in Hong Kong, Clarence Fernandez in Kuala Lumper, Gui Qing Koh in Singapore and Apornrath Phoonphongphiphat in Bangkok)

[friendlyric6411 0]

Most people that live in these places that get dengue fever, build up a resistance, When they are young. Its just us people that come on holiday to hot countrys that get it , mostly. But yes I looked into getting vaccinated there is none, just Maleria tablets..

[joekicker 53]

Most people that live in these places that get dengue fever, build up a resistance, When they are young. Its just us people that come on holiday to hot countrys that get it , mostly. But yes I looked into getting vaccinated there is none, just Maleria tablets..

 

Most people who get dengue, including the ones who die, in Southeast Asia are natives. You don't get resistant to dengue, ever. Very, very few tourists get dengue, almost all victims have been living all their lives where they get it.

 

There is no vaccination against dengue, or cure either. Your malaria tablets won't work in Thailand. I don't think they work anywhere, any more, but they don't work here.

[aussiechic 209]

Most people who get dengue, including the ones who die, in Southeast Asia are natives. You don't get resistant to dengue, ever. Very, very few tourists get dengue, almost all victims have been living all their lives where they get it.

 

There is no vaccination against dengue, or cure either. Your malaria tablets won't work in Thailand. I don't think they work anywhere, any more, but they don't work here.

 

In correct information I live in one of the Dengue Fever area Nth Queensland Australia and it is Tourist and weak people that get knock down with it no one has died from it itself but other thing that person maybe effected by like dehydration or old or heart condition. It makes you very weak for about a weak and if you keep tracking up a mountain you will die. Like any aliment seek medical advice and look after your self.

[joekicker 53]

In correct information

 

Incorrect where?

 

I live in one of the Dengue Fever area Nth Queensland Australia and it is Tourist and weak people that get knock down with it no one has died from it itself but other thing that person maybe effected by like

 

I have no knowledge of the Queensland dengue situation and fully accept what you say.

 

In Thailand, however, it is local people who get dengue AND DIE. Very, very few by percentage and by number of those who get dengue in Thailand are tourists. Weak people are more likely to get sicker and to die, no argument about that.

 

There are no actual dengue-free zones in Thailand right now, although there are places you are more likely to get it. But even Singapore has declared itself an epidemic zone - 400 cases in the WEEK of June 10, another 300 last week, all or almost all local people or residents, i.e. not tourists. Southeast Asia is not Queensland.

[aussiechic 209]

No it's not south east Asia but where I live is same distance to the Equator as Pattaya. And Denque Fever was actually known as Ross River Fever and named after the river where I live. It has only with the great developments commutation that information can and is being traded between Country's. E.g. Our University helps the Thais with Denuge fever info and return they are helping with Cloud seeding from Chiang Mai. And Australia is actually a Asian Pacific Country.

[joekicker 53]

No it's not south east Asia but where I live is same distance to the Equator as Pattaya. And Denque Fever was actually known as Ross River Fever and named after the river where I live. It has only with the great developments commutation that information can and is being traded between Country's. E.g. Our University helps the Thais with Denuge fever info and return they are helping with Cloud seeding from Chiang Mai. And Australia is actually a Asian Pacific Country.

 

Yes.

 

Incorrect where?

[aussiechic 209]

Yes.

 

Incorrect where? You don't get resistant to dengue, ever. Very, very few tourists get dengue, almost all victims have been living all their lives where they get it.

Very, very few tourists get dengue, almost all victims have been living all their lives where they get it.

 

Yes tourists can get it. But dieing from it is unlikely and the figures that you are sprouting are highly inflated as if blood sample will be taken and sent as this costs to much money and easy to blame a fever as it couldn't the living conditions. I not saying locals won't get it, we are the great carries of it but we don't die from it and neither do your local they are born into it.

 

Gobal warming don't get me started on that.

[joekicker 53]

Gobal warming don't get me started on that.

 

Jee-zuz. You started yourself on it. No one mentioned it until you did. I still won't.

 

I made a very simple statement to wit:

 

Almost all people who get dengue in Thailand are people who live here. To put it another way, almost no one who gets dengue in Thailand is a visitor.

 

That is either correct or not. You said not. How is it not correct?

 

Dozens and dozens of people die of dengue in Thailand. The last three years have not been pretty.

 

2005, 38,367 cases, 48 deaths

 

2006, 37,000 cases, 64 deaths

 

2007 to May 31: 11,574 cases, 14 deaths

 

Almost all the 2007 cases were in April and May. The number of cases in June has jumped.

[joekicker 53]

Hmmm. According to the Queensland government, there have been 45 cases of dengue this year, all in South Townville but none since 14 May. Is that about right?

 

That's not fun, but it's sure not what we have around here by any stretch.

[aussiechic 209]

Jee-zuz. You started yourself on it. No one mentioned it until you did. I still won't.

 

I made a very simple statement to wit:

 

Almost all people who get dengue in Thailand are people who live here. To put it another way, almost no one who gets dengue in Thailand is a visitor.

 

That is either correct or not. You said not. How is it not correct?

 

Dozens and dozens of people die of dengue in Thailand. The last three years have not been pretty.

 

2005, 38,367 cases, 48 deaths

 

2006, 37,000 cases, 64 deaths

 

2007 to May 31: 11,574 cases, 14 deaths

 

Almost all the 2007 cases were in April and May. The number of cases in June has jumped.

 

By the flag you residing Thailand. The only way to tell if some has it is by a blood test are you going tell all of those people had a blood test and sent it to Singapore or Australia for lab results. I can check the with the Uni tomorrow but I am still sure the only Lab in Australia is in Brisbane doing the test for Dengue.

As you can be a carry it doesn't matter the blood test could still say that you had it. As I live in one of the most infected areas and it usually visitors that the cases get report from, most locals don't bother with the test. I spoken with guys that went to Vietnam and contacted Malaria. They say that you suffer more from Malaria. I think I am looking for the word Properganer (Not good with spelling) Not you but the big brothers of the world. That why I said don't get me started on Gobal Warming.

[joekicker 53]

By the flag you residing Thailand. The only way to tell if some has it is by a blood test are you going tell all of those people had a blood test and sent it to Singapore or Australia for lab results.

 

Yes they had the dengue blood tests. Why would the clinics or hospitals send it to Singapore or Australia? Are you saying Thailand is so backward it cannot test for an endemic, historical disease as simple as dengue? If so, you are wrong.

 

Yes there are false positives, but you do not fall deathly ill with aching bones and you do not die because the test yielded a false positive. Yes, thousands and thousands of people have had dengue this year, confirmed. Yes.

 

Also yes I live in Thailand.

[friendlyric6411 0]

I took an interest in dengue fever as i have lived in the jungle. and am doing so again thats why i took time to study a little bit about dengue fever. In fact , people that live in tropical countrys , DO build up a resistance to dengue fever . Yes a lot of people die from it . but More people that are visiting these country that have mosquitoes die from it . I went to boots cemist in the u k to try and buy some protection for dengue fever, they thought i was ting tong, so i just walked out of the shop..

[aussiechic 209]

Yes they had the dengue blood tests. Why would the clinics or hospitals send it to Singapore or Australia? Are you saying Thailand is so backward it cannot test for an endemic, historical disease as simple as dengue?

Yes read other post on this board, go to local clinic and find how much it cost for you to be tested and how long for results. Thailand is a big large country not a 3rd world country but does not and can not afford do every test. Don't get angry do some research if want to I really don't care. But you are in the prime position to do it.

[joekicker 53]

Don't get angry do some research if want to I really don't care. But you are in the prime position to do it.

 

Well, I'm not slightly angry and I don't mind being wrong, especially if I learn something. If you're right and I'm wrong, then that's that.

 

But you haven't stated a fact so far, you only keep asking questions. So here is one for you:

 

Do you think the 11,000-plus dengue cases were not tested? If so, why?

[aussiechic 209]

Well, I'm not slightly angry and I don't mind being wrong, especially if I learn something. If you're right and I'm wrong, then that's that.

 

But you haven't stated a fact so far, you only keep asking questions. So here is one for you:

 

Do you think the 11,000-plus dengue cases were not tested? If so, why?

Read my last post.

[joekicker 53]

Read my last post.

 

Thanks for all the help. Appreciate it.

[Guest Farty McFarland]

There's a peter on that skeeter whack it off...whack it off!

There's a peter on that skeeter whack it off...whack if off!

There's another on his cousin,

You can here them fuckers buzzin',

There's a peter on those skeeters whack 'em off...whack 'em off!

[thegrogmonster 110]

I got Dengue fever in Thailand last Xmas and I have never been as sick before in my life. I ached all over, had a fever, headache and absolutely no strength or stamina.

 

I went to the Bangkok Pattaya hospital for treatment and the first thing the want to do is admit you to hospital. I was one of these people who thought I was bullet proof and didn't have any traveler's insurance, so I told them to just give me some medication and let me go back to our house which is not far from the hospital. I was still no better after a week and a half and went back to the hospital again. I was due to fly back home in a few days and the doctor said that they wouldn't let me fly unless they checked me in to the hospital. After a day on a drip I started to feel slightly better and they said I could fly back home. The one night in hospital cost about 18,000 baht.

 

After I got back to Australia, I went to my own doctor and they did all the tests again and confirmed that it was dengue fever. All up it took about 6 weeks before I start to feel normal again.

 

All I can say is if you ever travel overseas please make sure you have medical insurance.

[pattayabargirl 0]

Hope not to get that the mosquitoes love me

[Andy031 0]

I got dengue fever in Thailand 2005 and could not work for almost 7 weeks. A horrible experience.

[Hub 203]

My stepson got Dengue last November and got very sick. Had to be hospitalized (PIH) and was scary for a few days. By the way, he and his grandmother live not far from Pattaya (where the grandmother has worked and lived for several years) however in a wooded and heavily vegetated area as compared to Pattaya. They did not have confidence in the local Thai clinics and din't want to take him there. I think some of the deaths may not be just due to the weakness of the individual but from the poor care they recieve.

[joekicker 53]

They did not have confidence in the local Thai clinics and din't want to take him there. I think some of the deaths may not be just due to the weakness of the individual but from the poor care they recieve.

 

Well, since there are no clinics in Thailand except Thai clinics, that kind of narrows their options a bit. But tell me.

 

What care is indicated for dengue that you think a badly staffed clinic couldn't provide?

 

There IS no cure, there IS no treatment beyond hydration. The idiot brother of an incompetent nurse who barely scraped through at the bottom of his graduating class can treat dengue.

 

Most people die from the combination of being weak to start with and not seeking any help anywhere. When you are really ill - and dengue makes you VERY ill - your own reaction is not to eat OR DRINK, and that's what kills you with dengue. Your own strength and strong rehydration are your own help with dengue.

[thegrogmonster 110]

There IS no cure, there IS no treatment beyond hydration. The idiot brother of an incompetent nurse who barely scraped through at the bottom of his graduating class can treat dengue.

 

Most people die from the combination of being weak to start with and not seeking any help anywhere. When you are really ill - and dengue makes you VERY ill - your own reaction is not to eat OR DRINK, and that's what kills you with dengue. Your own strength and strong rehydration are your own help with dengue.

 

That is what the doctors told me as well. There is no cure or medication just take it easy and over time you will get better.

 

After about a week I was feeling better so I drove the wife from Pattaya to Bangkok and back. By the time I got back I was totally fucked and the next morning I got admitted to hospital

[friendlyric6411 0]

What are the simptoms of dengue fever , I have read that its a bit like flue, But , worse . Can anybody tell what they are , or is it to late when you realise somthings wrong ..