Dengue fever in southeast Asia

The following countries are reporting cases and outbreaks of dengue fever:

• Thailand - Krabi and Phuket provinces; more than 550 cases jointly with 1 death; cases also reported along Thailand-Myanmar border.
• Myanmar - increasing number of reported cases; almost 9,900 so far with 43 deaths.
• India - Goa and Karnataka states reporting increasing numbers of cases and deaths with onset of rainy season.
• Pakistan - Punjab province (Lahore), Sind province (Karachi) and Baluchistan province report increasing numbers of cases.

Advice

All travellers to areas where the dengue fever virus is active can reduce their risk of exposure by taking all necessary precautions to avoid mosquito bites. Many persons with dengue fever do not seek medical care and are not reported to health authorities. There may be many more cases in the community than the reports indicate.