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Dengue in Malaysia and Singapore
Wednesday 24-Jul-2007
Over 1000 cases of Dengue fever were reported during the last week of June in Malaysia, the second time in a month that the weekly total has topped 1000. This is considered consistent with an epidemic.
Meanwhile in Singapore, the threshold for epidemic levels of Dengue has been set at 378 cases per week, and this has been exceeded twice in the past month. In the first half 2007 a total of 3,597 cases have been reported.
Travellers should be aware that there is no protection against this mosquito borne virus other than avoiding being bitten by using good quality repellant. It is most important to remember that the mosquitoes that carry Dengue bite during the day as well as dusk and dawn. Dengue is a very unpleasant illness that results in high fevers, headaches and severe joint and muscle pains. There is no specific treatment and sufferers can take between one and several weeks to recover. It can be particularly serious in young children or in those who have previously been infected.
We recommend that you consult one of our clinics as soon
as your itinerary is known so that a program of vaccination can be planned.
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