Asean Dengue Day, a reminder for everyone to help prevent dengue

June 15 is Asean Dengue Day, when the citizens of Asean countries band together to combat dengue fever by clearing places where mosquitoes are likely to lay eggs, hoping to reduce the population of dengue-carrying mosquitoes under the slogan “No dengue mosquitoes, no dengue fever”.

People join together to clear potential mosquito breeding grounds.

Under this programme, everyone is encouraged to close or seal all containers, flush all water vessels, place small guppy fish in water jars that are kept outside, and bush out their back yards, to discourage mosquitoes from breeding.
Singapore and Malaysia are two of the Asean country members facing an outbreak of dengue fever this year.  Singapore - where dengue has been endemic for decades - has so far seen just one dengue death but with the rising number of cases authorities are taking no chances.
During the first five months of 2022, dengue cases in Singapore far exceeded the total number recorded in 2021.
As of June 4, a total of 12,852 dengue cases had been reported, far higher than last year’s total of 5,265, with about 10 percent of people requiring hospitalisation. Weekly case counts have reached the epidemic threshold since the beginning of March.
The outbreak of dengue in Singapore and Malaysia is a concern for other Asean countries, and is spurring authorities to prepare to deal with a possible outbreak in their countries.
This year, the theme for the Asean Dengue Day is ‘Asean’s Resilience Against Dengue Amidst COVID-19 Pandemic.’  Asean Dengue Day is a reminder for everyone to step up their actions against dengue. Dengue is a shared responsibility and requires individuals, communities, the private sector, and government agencies to work together to fight dengue.
Dengue is one of the fastest growing infectious diseases in the world, with the Asia-Pacific region bearing 75 percent of the global burden. Growing population densities and an increase in travel has resulted in an increase in cases and the geographical expansion of dengue-affected areas.
In Laos, as of June 20 this year, 3,132 cases and three deaths had been reported. This was an increase of 2,790 cases since May 14.
 A senior official at the Centre of Malariology, Parasitology and Entomology, Dr Bualam Khamlom, said there had been more cases of dengue this year than usual because of the unusual amount of rainfall, which had created areas of stagnant water that enabled dengue-carrying mosquitoes to breed.
“To prevent more cases of dengue fever, it’s important to minimise the amount of stagnant water lying around,” he said.
“This means people must remove any water that has collected in places such as around refrigerators and in unused tyres. Everyone should make sure no water collects in empty containers, and put small guppy fish in water jars, because these fish eat mosquito larvae. Make sure the area around your home is clean, and try to carry out these precautions every week,” he added.
According to the Ministry of Health, these measures are advised as being the most effective method of dengue control and are practised by households in Laos and other Asean countries where dengue is prevalent.
The Centre of Malariology, Parasitology and Entomology has prepared 2,000 litres of mosquito repellent for public use and local authorities are issuing instructions to communities about ways to ward off a dengue outbreak. 
Every province has set up a special taskforce to combat dengue fever and an effort is being made to remove all stagnant water to prevent dengue-carrying mosquitoes from breeding. 
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), about two-thirds of the world’s population live in areas infested with dengue vectors, mainly Aedes aegypti. All four dengue viruses are circulating, sometimes simultaneously, in most of these areas.
It is estimated that up to 80 million people become infected annually, although underreporting results in the notification of much smaller figures. Currently dengue is endemic in all continents except Europe, while epidemic dengue haemorrhagic fever occurs in Asia, the Americas and some Pacific islands.
Cambodia: In 2022 and as of 7 May, 817 cases and one death had been reported. This is an increase of 209 cases since 16 April.
Indonesia: According to media quoting health authorities, in 2022 and as of 31 March, 22,331 cases and 229 deaths had been reported. This is an increase of 7,062 cases and 65 deaths since 4 March.
Malaysia: In 2022 and as of 7 May, 13,651 cases and seven deaths had been reported. This is an increase of 3,694 cases and two deaths since 9 April.
The Philippines: In 2022 and as of 17 April, 20,057 cases and 115 deaths had been reported. This is an increase of 7,423 cases and 31 deaths since 26 March.
Myanmar: As of 20 May, the cumulative number of cases reported was 1,516 cases and two deaths. Most of the cases were detected in the Yangon Region, Ayeyarwady Region and Mon State.
Thailand: In 2022 and as of 23 May, 1,584 cases and no deaths had been reported. This is an increase of 695 cases since 25 April.
Timor-Leste: In 2022 and as of 27 May, 4,985 cases and 56 deaths had been reported. This is an increase of 358 cases and four deaths since 4 May. The incidence of cases has been steadily decreasing since February.
Vietnam: In 2022 and as of 8 May, 25,694 cases and 13 deaths had been reported. This is an increase of 10,990 cases and seven deaths since 10 April.
Dengue is a mosquito-borne disease transmitted by the bite of an infected mosquito, Aedes aegypti, which is a daytime feeder. Biting usually occurs early in the morning and in the evening before dusk. The mosquitoes thrive in urban areas close to human populations.
Dengue causes flu-like symptoms that can lasts for 2-7 days. If you have high fever with severe headache, pain behind the eyes, nausea and vomiting, muscle and joint pain, and a rash, it’s time to consult a doctor.
When developing into severe dengue, the critical phase takes place 3-7 days after the first sign of illness. A person’s temperature may fall but this does not mean that the individual is recovering. It’s also important to pay special attention to warning signs such as severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, bleeding gums, vomiting blood, rapid breathing, fatigue and restlessness.
Patients should seek medical advice, rest and drink plenty of fluids. It is important to see a doctor if you think you have dengue.
According to the World Health Organisation, dengue is one of the fastest emerging infections in the world as it 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.
On Asean Dengue Day, we would like to remind everyone that family ownership is vital to fighting dengue; you have to protect your family and yourself from mosquito bites.
Given the persistence of dengue fever in Asean Member States, the 10th Asean Health Ministers Meeting in 2010 designated June 15 as “Asean Dengue Day”.
Since then, Asean Dengue Day has been marked on June 15 as an important regional initiative to increase information exchange and promote awareness about dengue prevention, control, and intervention methods.
“The disease is now endemic in more than 100 countries,” the WHO said in a global dengue report issued in January 2022, noting that cases had increased “30 fold in the last 50 years”.
“Not only is the number of cases increasing as the disease spreads to new areas, but explosive outbreaks are occurring,” the report stated.

A poster promotes Asean Dengue Day 2022.

By Xayxana Leukai
(Latest Update June 23, 2022)