Dengue fever cases reported to Dec 3 are close to exceeding the record of 120,836 infections registered in 2015 – more than half this year have been in the state of Selangor. Read more. Elsewhere in the region, Myanmar recorded more than 23,200 cases of dengue for the year to Nov 23 and unusually high numbers of haemorrhagic fever among children have resulted in a year-on-year rise in dengue-related deaths; worst affected regions were Kachin, Yangon, Ayeyarwady and Mandalay. The dry season has finally arrived in Bangladesh, bringing a drop in dengue infections although new cases continue to be reported. A summary of the YTD situation shows how bad a season it has been: more than 100,000 people hospitalised for treatment of dengue – the worst month was August, averaging 2,500 admissions daily. An article on this year’s severe dengue fever outbreak in Nepal notes that all but 10 districts were affected and infections occurred at altitudes of up to 2,000m; the nationwide case count of almost 14,500 is also likely to be an underestimate of the true figure.
Advice for travellers
Dengue is spread by Aedes mosquitoes that breed close to dwellings, are found in shady areas and bite mainly during the daylight hours, making them difficult to avoid. Travellers should cover up with long-sleeved tops, long pants, and shoes and socks when mosquitoes are most active. Apply repellent containing an active ingredient, such as DEET, Picaridin, or PMD when outdoors to all exposed skin. Read more about dengue fever.
Before you travel, call Travelvax Australia’s telephone advisory service on 1300 360 164 (toll-free from landlines) for country-specific advice and information. You can also make an appointment at your nearest Travelvax clinic to obtain vaccinations, medication to prevent or treat illness, and accessories for your journey.