Dengue advisory

Dear All

An alert has come through from ISOS/Control Risk in relation to an increase dengue  cases in both rural and city areas f Vietnam. The information is below.

In Brief
A significant increase in dengue cases has been reported in several parts of Vietnam. The disease is spread by mosquitoes, and is present in both rural and urban or city areas. Dengue can cause a range of symptoms and has no particular treatment. Some people, especially those who have been infected with dengue before, get a more severe form that can lead to fatal complications. There is no vaccine.

Advice

• When outdoors, wear clothing that covers most of your body (long sleeves, long pants, socks).
• Use an effective insect repellent that contains DEET, Picaridin, PMD, or IR3535.
• Ensure windows are covered with fly-wire. Use "knock-down" insect spray to kill mosquitoes in your room.
• Choose air conditioned accommodation if possible.
• Seek medical attention if you develop a high fever, especially if you suffer "rigors" (shaking) or a rash.

More Detail
Dengue activity continues to increase in many states. Nationally, around 25,000 cases have been confirmed since the beginning of 2015, higher than that observed for the same period in 2014. At least 12 cases have been fatal. Frequent heavy rainfall may be contributing to the persistence of the outbreak.

Dengue is consistently present in Vietnam.

 

Here is the life cycle of the dengue mosquito so that you have a good idea about the time for clearing away standing water.

 

Some control strategies taken from WHO:

 

Individual and household protection

Self-initiative for source reduction in homes and community. See "Environmental management"

Clothing that minimizes skin exposure during daylight hours when mosquitoes are most active affords some protection from the bites of dengue vectors and is encouraged particularly during outbreaks.

Repellents may be applied to exposed skin or to clothing. The use of repellents must be in strict accordance with label instructions.

Insecticide-treated mosquito nets afford good protection for those who sleep during the day (e.g. infants, the bedridden and night-shift workers).

Where indoor biting occurs, household insecticide aerosol products, mosquito coils or other insecticide vaporizers may also reduce biting activity.

Household fixtures such as window and door screens and air-conditioning can also reduce biting.

Safe use of insecticides

All pesticides are toxic to some degree. Safety precautions for their use – including care in the handling of pesticides, safe work practices for those who apply them, and appropriate field application – should be followed.

WHO Pesticide Evaluation Scheme (WHOPES) has published specific guidelines on use of insecticides, safety procedures, quality control and guidelines for testing.

http://www.who.int/denguecontrol/control_strategies/en/