Philippines ranks 4th in ASEAN-wide dengue incidence

The Philippines ranks 4th in the list of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member-countries tormented by dengue, health experts announced this week, prompting calls for concerted efforts in preventing the spread of the potentially fatal ailment. The 10-member bloc launched the first ASEAN-wide Dengue Day in Jakarta on June 15 to call for a region-wide action in combating dengue, “one of the most neglected tropical diseases in the world," Philippine dengue expert Dr. Lyndon Lee Suy said. The ASEAN grouping has the highest number of dengue infections in the Asia-Pacific region, which in turn carries 75 percent of the global dengue disease burden, Filipino and international dengue experts said. Lee Suy, national program coordinator of the Department of Health (DOH) for dengue prevention and control, said Lao PDR recorded the highest incidence of dengue in the region in 2010 followed by Malaysia, Vietnam, and the Philippines. Thailand ranked fifth followed by Cambodia, Indonesia, and Myanmar. No data was available for Brunei and Singapore, he said. It is the first time for comparative dengue statistics in the ASEAN region to be released. In a statement released in Jakarta for ASEAN Dengue Day, the World Health Organization (WHO) called for a united “battle against the dengue, which has developed into a formidable threat." Everyone's concern Dengue is a mosquito-borne infection that causes a severe flu-like illness, and sometimes a potentially fatal complication called dengue hemorrhagic fever. There is no specific treatment for dengue, but appropriate medical care frequently saves the lives of patients with dengue fever. The Philippines recorded 144.55 dengue cases per 100,000 population last year, up from 58.94 in 2009, according to DOH data. However, Lee Suy said this does not necessarily mean that dengue incidence has risen in the past two years. “Filipino health workers now have better capabilities to recognize dengue infections compared to years before," Lee Suy said. “Similarly, the DOH has greatly improved its dengue surveillance capability." From January 1 to June 11 this year, the Philippines recorded a total of 27,071 dengue cases, Lee Suy told GMA News Online. There were 172 deaths from dengue fever during the same period, he added. “Dengue is everybody’s concern and with concerted effort, dengue can be controlled starting today," Health Secretary Enrique T. Ona said. “The disease cannot be fought by the health sector alone. All sectors need to collaborate," asserted Dr. Samlee Plianbangchang, WHO regional director for Southeast Asia. The ASEAN Dengue Day is projected as an annual event that will be celebrated every June 15 to increase public awareness on dengue prevention and control among members. As chair of the ASEAN in 2011, Indonesia hosted the regional launching on Wednesday. “As we strengthen our community-building efforts, ASEAN Member States are committed to working together for the health security of the peoples of ASEAN, and dengue is one of our priority diseases for action," ASEAN Secretary General Dr. Surin Pitsuwan said, according to the statement. Highest number of cases Dengue is the “fastest emerging arboviral infection" in the world, the WHO statement said. Out of the 2.5 billion people at risk globally, about 1.8 billion or more than 70 percent live in the Asia-Pacific region. An estimated 50 million dengue infections are recorded annually worldwide, said Dr. Jeffrey Partridge, epidemiologist for influenza surveillance for the WHO-Western Pacific Regional Office, in an email interview from Jakarta. “Dengue incidence has continued to increase in the Western Pacific Region through 2010, following the trend observed over the past decade," he said. Last year, “353, 907 cases and 1,073 dengue-related deaths were reported. This is the highest number of cases reported since the very large epidemic in 1998," Partridge added. “Fortunately, there appears to be lower activity in 2010 compared to 2009 and little sign of further spread," he said. “Dengue respects no boundaries and our region needs to move from response-driven activities to long-term prevention and preparedness-driven approaches," said Dr. Shin Young-soo, WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific. Dengue prevention The only way to prevent dengue virus transmission is the removal of the breeding places of disease-carrying mosquitoes, according to Lee Suy of DOH. “Vessels containing clear and stagnant water should be emptied regularly. Dengue-carrying mosquitoes lay their larvae in clear and stagnant water such as those found in flower vases, pails, soft drink bottles, cans, and drums," Lee Suy said. He also recommended self-protection measures against dengue, such as wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants to avoid mosquito bites, and the use of mosquito repellent. “People who have experienced fever for two days together with skin rashes should immediate consult the nearest health center or hospital," Lee Suy said. – YA, GMA News