CAMBODIA: Cambodia has seen more cases of dengue fever in the last two month than in the first eight months of 2023 due to both the wet season and to a five to six year cycle that sees a spike in the virus.

According to Director of the National Dengue Control Program Dr. Leang Rithea, the Ministry of Health reported about 13,000 cases of dengue from August 17 to October 17, 2023. Between January and August of this year there were 10,000 reported cases of dengue.

According to the Ministry of Health, the number of dengue fever cases and the death rate is higher than in previous years due to a cyclical spike of dengue fever every five or six years. It says the number of cases remains at a manageable level for the healthcare system

The director asked all relevant officials to be more involved in eradicating dengue fever. He said that individuals must be vigilant in maintaining a clean environment around the house, sleeping under mosquito nets and putting Abate larvicide in cisterns and standing water to quell mosquito populations. People should also be aware of anything collecting water such as garbage cans, coconut shells, and water bowls which should be kept dry to prevent creating breeding grounds for mosquitos.

He warned that anyone who has a fever, especially children, should be taken to the hospital immediately for proper treatment as it becomes more difficult to treat after 48 hours. He recommended people not to try and treat the disease themselves, but rather to see a medical professional.

Minister of Health, Chheang Ra, called on all capital and provincial authorities to strengthen the health measures to prevent the spread of dengue fever more effectively and raise awareness of preventative measures through education and dissemination of information to individuals, families, communities and society as a whole.

Dengue fever symptoms include high fever, red face, headache, eye pain, back pain, nausea or vomiting, abdominal pain, muscle and joint pain, red spots on the skin and bleeding gums. It is spread by the Aedes mosquito, which Cambodians refer to as the “tiger mosquito” because of their distinctive stripes.