Timor-Leste: Dengue Outbreak - Jan 2014
Overview
A dengue fever outbreak has occurred in Timor-Leste's capital Dili, with an escalation in the number of cases in early January 2014. As of the second week of January, the number of confirmed cases at the national hospital was 67 people and one death. The actual number of cases however is much higher as dengue is heavily under-reported and many people do not visit the hospital. (IFRC, 24 Jan 2014)
As of the first week of February, the number of confirmed cases at the national hospital has increased drastically; to date, 197 cases have been reported with two fatalities. The Ministry of Health expects the numbers will continue to increase in the coming months due to the wet season. (IFRC, 13 Feb 2014)
Affected countries
Most read reports
- IFRC: Asia Pacific Zone Office Annual Report 2014 (MAA5001). 8 Jun 2015
- IFRC: Timor-Leste: Dengue outbreak DREF operation n° MDRTP003 update no. 1. 13 Feb 2014
- OCHA: Timor-Leste: Dengue outbreak (as of 14 Feb 2014) - Location Map. 18 Feb 2014
- OCHA: Asia Pacific Region: Weekly Regional Humanitarian Snapshot (11 - 17 February 2014). 17 Feb 2014
- IFRC: Timor-Leste: Dengue Outbreak DREF MDRTP003 final report. 15 Aug 2014
Overview
The Asia Pacific zone (APZ) of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) comprises the zone office in Kuala Lumpur, four regional offices in Suva (Pacific), Bangkok (Southeast Asia), Delhi (South Asia) and Beijing (East Asia) and 12 country offices, adopting a “best-positioned” strategy to support the national societies (NSs) in the zone according to their needs. Through this decentralized management structure, the Asia Pacific zone office directs the work of the regional and country offices.
Overview
Cruz Vermelha de Timor-Leste (CVTL) achieved a number of significant milestones in 2014 that further reinforces their development towards becoming a stronger and more financially sustainable National Society.
Period covered by this update: from 24 January to 30 April 2014.
By Dewindra Widiamurti, IFRC
Ana Bonifacio was 16-years old when she decided to join the Red Cross of Timor-Leste, also know as Cruz Vermelha de Timor-Leste (CVTL). “I wanted to be on the frontline, serving my community,” she says. “I saw what my brother was doing as a volunteer and it inspired me.”
Over the past four years, Ana has been supporting various health programmes in the capital city of Dilli, including HIV/AIDS youth-peer education, community first aid and epidemic control. Given the recent dengue outbreak, the work of volunteers such as Ana, is critical.
13 Feb 2014 - There has been an outbreak of dengue fever in Timor-Leste's capital, Dili. The number of cases increased in early January. A Government assessment identified the highest number of cases in Comoro, followed by Bairro Pite, Becora and Area Formosa sub-districts. To date, 197 cases have been reported, with two fatalities.
1 PHILIPPINES
It has been over three months since Super Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) struck the Philippines killing over 6,200 people, with nearly 1,800 individuals still missing. Humanitarian and early recovery activities are ongoing in a variety of locations. The Strategic Response Plan for Typhoon Haiyan remains only 45% funded.
Source: OCHA Humanitarian Bulletin No. 1
2 PHILIPPINES
Period covered by this update: 24 January to 9 February 2014.
Summary: CHF 32,204 was allocated from the IFRC’s Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) on 24 January 2014 to support the Cruz Vermelha de Timor-Leste (CVTL) in delivering assistance to 17,000 beneficiaries in two sub-districts of Dili district.
CVTL has been conducting an awareness campaign since the second week of January 2014 in close coordination and collaboration with the Ministry of Health (MoH) and the World Health Organisation (WHO).
When Pascoela Da Cruz’s four-year-old son suddenly developed a rash and high fever, she didn’t hesitate to take him to hospital. Pascoela completed a dengue-awareness training with the Red Cross in 2013, and the symptoms looked horribly familiar.
Pascoela’s quick response and Red Cross knowledge may have saved her son’s life. By the time hospital tests confirmed the boy’s second case of dengue fever, his platelet count had dropped so dramatically that an emergency blood transfusion was needed.
CHF 32,204 has been allocated from the IFRC’s Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) to support the National Society in delivering immediate assistance to 17,000 beneficiaries. Un-earmarked funds to repay DREF are encouraged.
