Fiji reports three dengue-related deaths as outbreak total hits 1,400
In a follow up to a report 10 days ago, the dengue fever outbreak on the Pacific island of Fiji has hit 1,400, according to a Radio New Zealand International report Thursday.
The total number of cases has increased from 1,039 on Jan. 21 to at least 1,400 today. In fact, the Fiji Health Ministry’s national communicable diseases adviser, Dr Mike Kama said he has never seen so many people affected by dengue fever in Fiji with 1,200 of the 1,400 cases in the last three months coming from the Central Division.
Health officials say that the current dengue outbreak is “breaking the bank”, with 75 percent of its 2014 budget to combat dengue already spent.
Related story: Fiji dengue outbreak grows amid concerns over circulating DENV 3 strain
Dengue fever is an infectious disease carried by mosquitoes and caused by any of four related dengue viruses. This disease used to be called “break-bone fever” because it sometimes causes severe joint and muscle pain that feels like bones are breaking.
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates there may be 50–100 million dengue infections worldwide every year. However, new research from the University of Oxford and the Wellcome Trust, using cartographic approaches, estimate there to be 390 million dengue infections per year worldwide.
There are three types of dengue fever in order of less severe to most: the typical uncomplicated dengue fever, dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHS) and dengue shock syndrome (DSS).
There is not a vaccine for dengue fever. There is no treatment for dengue, just treat the symptoms.
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