Alarming rise in dengue cases

Rabiatul Kamit
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

BRUNEI recorded its highest number of dengue cases last year as well as its first outbreak of Japanese Encephalitis (JE) virus.

In his speech at the World Health Day event, Health Minister YB Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Hj Adanan Begawan Khatib Pehin Siraja Dato Seri Setia Hj Mohd Yusof revealed that 414 cases of dengue were recorded in 2013, an increase from 298 the previous year.

Of the dengue cases that were recorded last year, four involved dengue haemorrhagic fever. However, no deaths were reported from dengue haemorrhagic fever over the past two years.

Dengue cases are on the rise, but the minister noted that a review of the dengue haemorrhagic fever statistics has shown a decrease in trend since November 2013. From January to March this year, only 35 known cases have occurred.

“One of the vector-borne diseases that is worrying, not only in this region but in the Sultanate and the rest of the world, is dengue,” he remarked.

Classified as the fastest growing vector-borne disease, dengue has increased by up to 30 times over the past 50 years. The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that 50 to 100 million dengue cases occur annually and over 2.5 billion people are at risk of from the global health threat.

Although dengue is similar to a mild fever, the vector-borne disease can become serious and result in death from dengue haemorrhagic fever.

YB Pehin Dato Hj Adanan explained there is no specific treatment for dengue, however early detection by immediately visiting the doctor as well as access to medical treatment can reduce the risk of complications.

“Prevention and control of dengue can only be effectively implemented by controlling the vector of dengue, that is the Aedes mosquito,” he said.

Aside from efforts to tackle malaria and dengue disease in the country, the Ministry of Health (MoH) also implemented another eradication programme for filariasis. Caused by microfilia worms, filariasis is a parasitic and infectious tropical disease.

In 2013, the programme was carried out in at-risk areas, such as Mukim Labi, Bukit Sawat, Sukang and Melilas in Belait; Mukim Lamunin, Ukong and Ramai in Tutong; and Mukim Labu in Temburong.

Residents were required to consume two types of medicine to eradicate the microfilia worms that are carried by Mansonia mosquitoes. The minister said the cooperation of the residents were crucial in the fight against the vector-borne disease.

However, he added that the response in some of the mukims were below 65 per cent, forcing the year-long programme to be repeated in 2014.

“In regard to this, MoH will continue to work on implementing measures of prevention and control strategies that are more potent and effective in addressing the mosquito-borne disease,” said YB Pehin Dato Hj Adanan.

He called on all stakeholders, including government agencies, NGOs and the private sector, to play a part in the eradication of mosquito-borne diseases by keeping their respective premises clean. “With methods such as these, I believe they can be undertaken at all levels of society and individuals in the country, which is deemed as a strategy that is the best and effective in preventing and controlling vector-borne diseases,” he said. Brunei also reported its first outbreak of JE virus in October 2013. A total of 15 people were infected with the potentially fatal mosquito-borne disease. Following the cases, MoH decided to administer the JE vaccine to the most affected areas in the Belait. The minister previously claimed that environmental sanitation was still the most effective method to control the JE virus.

“All stakeholders…need to play a role and take steps that are proactive and effective as these steps together will insya’Allah eradicate mosquito-borne diseases,” he said yesterday. Reiterating the importance of environmental sanitation, YB Pehin Dato Hj Adanan also urged the law enforcement agencies to take action in carrying out any laws related to ensuring public cleanliness. The World Health Day event on vector-borne diseases was held at the Al-‘Afiah Hall, MoH.


Sumber - The Brunei Times