Dengue Cases More Than Double in a Year
New cases of dengue this year have increased by 5000 on the same period in 2022 to a total of 9000 cases. Photo: Xinhua file photo
- By Nhoek Samoun
- July 28, 2023 3:58 PM
PHNOM PENH – New cases of dengue this year have increased by 5000 on the same period in 2022 to a total of 9000 cases.
There were 22 deaths this year, compared with 10 in 2022.
Leang Rithea, director of the Ministry of Health's National Dengue Control Programme, said the significant rise raised concern.
He said cases rise every four to five years as people's immune systems weaken.
He said the first symptom is a high temperature, which does not get better even if victims take paracetamol.
Aedes mosquitoes are responsible for spreading the disease, which affects adults and children. It occurs mostly in Phnom Penh, Kandal, Tbong Khmum, Siem Reap, and Banteay Meanchey provinces.
He said people who have symptoms should go to hospital as soon as possible and avoid buying medicine without a prescription, which could threaten their lives.
He added that in the current rainy season, people should clear their houses of coconut shells, tires, pots and pans which could be a shelter for mosquitoes to breed.
They should also use larvicide in water containers to kill mosquito eggs.
Originally written in Khmer for ThmeyThmey, this story was translated by Te Chhaysinh for Cambodianess.
