Xaythany district records city’s highest incidence of dengue 

Xaythany district has chalked up the largest number of dengue fever infections in Vientiane, as more cases surface in the capital. 
As of July 8, 4,846 people had been diagnosed with dengue fever in Vientiane and 13 people have died from the virus.
In Xaythany district, 1,469 people had been diagnosed with dengue by that date and four people had died, according to the Communicable Disease Control Department of the Ministry of Health.
Savannakhet has reported the highest number of dengue cases among the provinces, recording 18 deaths and 3,646 people falling ill with the disease.
Head of the Xaythany health office, Dr Cheng Heu, this week talked to the media about dengue control amid a spike in the number of cases this year. In response, the ministry has provided specialists to discuss the control of dengue fever in Xaythany district.   
The ministry is encouraging health officials to campaign about dengue and raise awareness of preventive measures among the general public.
Dr Cheng said “We have advised health workers to educate individuals and communities following advice from the Minister of Health, Associate Prof. Dr Bounkong Syhavong, so that they understand the dangers of the disease and take active steps to prevent it.”
“We acknowledge that raising public awareness is one of the main strategies to reduce the risk of dengue transmission,” he added.
Deputy Minister of Health, Associate Prof. Dr Phouthone Muongpak, gave advice to local health officials during a visit to Phonsavang village in Xaysettha district.
He said it was essential to convince people of the need to clear potential mosquito breeding sites around their homes and workplaces to help curb the spread of the virus.
Preventing dengue-carrying mosquitoes from laying eggs by getting rid of stagnant water was the most effective method of dengue control, he added. This is being done in Laos and other Asean countries where dengue is prevalent.
Every household should empty out containers each week, so that they do not collect rain. Vases and water jars should also be cleaned out.
If the mosquito population declines, it follows that there will be fewer cases of dengue and fewer people dying, Dr Phouthone said.
According to the World Health Organisation, dengue is one of the fastest emerging infections and is currently the most rapidly spreading viral disease known.
The number of cases in the Western Pacific Region has more than doubled over the past 10 years.
In particular, the Asia Pacific bears 75 percent of the current global dengue disease burden and accounts for more than 70 percent of the estimated 2.5 billion people at risk globally.
The disease has now expanded to new geographical areas that were previously unaffected and this trend is predicted to continue.

By Phetphoxay Sengpaseuth
(Latest Update August 8, 2019)