Dengue is a mosquito borne infection and continues to affect several countries in the world.
Dengue fever is a severe, flu-like illness that affects infants, young children and adults, and can cause death …. Older children and adults may have either a mild fever or the classical incapacitating disease with abrupt onset and high fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pains, and rash.
Some of the worst affected countries are in South America, where almost 114,000 cases have been reported in the first quarter of this year alone.
This includes more than 2000 cases of Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever (DHF) and dengue with complications, causing 42 deaths.
In April 2009, Saudi Arabia recorded a sudden increase of dengue, with 72 cases recorded in one week. The Saudi Ministry of Health is closely monitoring the situation.
Play now audio summary–Dengue
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Global cases of dengue fever are expected to increase further after monsoon rains in western Pacific region countries, which have already recorded 49,000 cases so far, this year.
WHO urges all dengue endemic countries to enhance surveillance and implement effective vector measures to prevent and control the spread of the disease.