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Dengue Fever

Posted: Tue Jul 23, 2019 2:21 pm
by samrong01
Currently I am absent from Cambodia until next year and so am somewhat cut off from current events in Cambodia. I have heard from my Khmer friend in Cambodia disturbing news that there is currently a massive Dengue Fever epidemic across the country. He tells me that every hospital and clinic in Siem Reap is full of Dengue Fever patients and that large numbers of children have died - especially in Mondulkiri province. His small son is seriously ill with Dengue Fever and he must seek treatment from a private clinic as Kantha Bopha hospital is overwhelmed. The private clinics are also full and his son is forced to return home at night due to pressure on space in the clinic.

Can anyone provide authentic news about this or is it unsubstantiated rumour?

Re: Dengue Fever

Posted: Tue Jul 23, 2019 2:29 pm
by CEOCambodiaNews

Re: Dengue Fever

Posted: Tue Jul 23, 2019 2:50 pm
by angkorjohn2
It suggested it was under control a couple of weeks ago https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50622589/d ... MN8mUkl7GI

Re: Dengue Fever

Posted: Tue Jul 23, 2019 2:51 pm
by Kammekor
samrong01 wrote: ↑Tue Jul 23, 2019 2:21 pm Currently I am absent from Cambodia until next year and so am somewhat cut off from current events in Cambodia. I have heard from my Khmer friend in Cambodia disturbing news that there is currently a massive Dengue Fever epidemic across the country. He tells me that every hospital and clinic in Siem Reap is full of Dengue Fever patients and that large numbers of children have died - especially in Mondulkiri province. His small son is seriously ill with Dengue Fever and he must seek treatment from a private clinic as Kantha Bopha hospital is overwhelmed. The private clinics are also full and his son is forced to return home at night due to pressure on space in the clinic.

Can anyone provide authentic news about this or is it unsubstantiated rumour?
It’s true, the amount of sick people is massive

Re: Dengue Fever

Posted: Tue Jul 23, 2019 3:02 pm
by phuketrichard
why would anyone go to a hospital for Dengue? Nothing they can do for you there but put you on an expensive drip.
Had it once, all you need do is wait it out and keep the liquids following in.

Its bad here in Thailand as well as all over SE asia

http://outbreaknewstoday.com/dengue-hem ... and-22804/

https://www.smh.com.au/world/asia/south ... 51ztd.html
According to the WHO, dengue is a leading cause of serious illness and death in south-east Asia. There is no specific treatment for the virus but early detection and medical care, including maintaining the body's fluid levels and reducing fever with paracetamol, can reduce mortality rates.

Re: Dengue Fever

Posted: Tue Jul 23, 2019 3:08 pm
by Clemen
Why go to the hospital? So you can be sure it isn't Dengue hemorrhagic fever.
I personally know two people who have Dengue right now, one in Phnom Penh, one in Kampot. So, apparently "under control" doesn't mean you won't get it.

Re: Dengue Fever

Posted: Tue Jul 23, 2019 3:39 pm
by Kammekor
phuketrichard wrote: ↑Tue Jul 23, 2019 3:02 pm why would anyone go to a hospital for Dengue? Nothing they can do for you there but put you on an expensive drip.
Had it once, all you need do is wait it out and keep the liquids following in.

Its bad here in Thailand as well as all over SE asia

http://outbreaknewstoday.com/dengue-hem ... and-22804/

https://www.smh.com.au/world/asia/south ... 51ztd.html
According to the WHO, dengue is a leading cause of serious illness and death in south-east Asia. There is no specific treatment for the virus but early detection and medical care, including maintaining the body's fluid levels and reducing fever with paracetamol, can reduce mortality rates.
Loads of young kids with dengue, being much more vulnerable than adults.
And children are much more vulnerable for hemorrhagic fever which is fatal in over 30% (of the children, less with adults) of the cases if untreated. So if you know someone whose kid is suspected of having dengue, send them to the local health center. Might not be top notch care, but they seem to be knowing what they're doing.

Re: Dengue Fever

Posted: Tue Jul 23, 2019 3:45 pm
by samrong01
Gentlemen:
Thanks for your replies.
I found the thread "Preparing for Dengue Outbreak 2019" by CEOCambodiaNews dated 11 February which has information updating the current situation dated 13 July and which seems to confirm what I had heard. The death rate of 25 per 15,000 cases looks very low since I understand that statistically the death rate is 23 per 1,000. If true this is an excellent result and would refute the claim that large numbers of children have died.
Although they claim the disease is under control, it looks like its not so easy to get treatment due to overcrowding.

Re: Dengue Fever

Posted: Tue Jul 23, 2019 3:53 pm
by Kammekor
samrong01 wrote: ↑Tue Jul 23, 2019 3:45 pm Gentlemen:
Thanks for your replies.
I found the thread "Preparing for Dengue Outbreak 2019" by CEOCambodiaNews dated 11 February which has information updating the current situation dated 13 July and which seems to confirm what I had heard. The death rate of 25 per 15,000 cases looks very low since I understand that statistically the death rate is 23 per 1,000. If true this is an excellent result and would refute the claim that large numbers of children have died.
Although they claim the disease is under control, it looks like its not so easy to get treatment due to overcrowding.
Don't pay too much attention to the numbers from the government, if you compare local/regional numbers with national numbers, or you compare the numbers released over the last few weeks, you will notice loads of discrepancies. The government seems to be playing it down.

Re: Dengue Fever

Posted: Tue Jul 23, 2019 4:03 pm
by SternAAlbifrons
PRichard poses a good question. Why would anyone go into hospital unnecessarily?

Kammakor, or anyone else, can you give us an idea on the level of risk of catching a multi-drug resistant infection in hospitals in Cambodia? I hear this immediate region, Thai/Cambodia/VN, is ground zero for these infections, and that hospitals are the main vectors. ??