By Necephor Mghendi and Lasse Norgaard, IFRC
The number of dengue cases is rising at an alarming rate in some countries across Asia as the rainy season intensifies. Health authorities have reported thousands of cases, including Sri Lanka with 22,000 patients seeking assistance and 29,000 in the Philippines, many in the province of Davao del Sur, which has declared a "state of emergency".
In Thailand figures have reached 40,000 - a five-year high - and Malaysia has reported 27,000 cases in the first seven months of the year.
There are concerns that numbers are likely to rise in the coming weeks as rains continue. Of 23,000 cases in Vietnam this year, 6,000 where reported in July only, after the rains started. Hundreds of people have died across the region.
"Dengue cases have increased dramatically in recent decades, especially in South East Asia and the Western Pacific. In addition, outbreaks of dengue happen in cyclical manner due to weather changes and virus related reasons" says Terhi Heinasmaki, the IFRC's health coordinator for Asia Pacific.
Across Asia, National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies have stepped up dengue awareness campaigns to assist health authorities and to prevent further spread of the disease. Campaigns are being rolled out not only in the above-mentioned countries, but also in Cambodia, Laos and the Maldives.
Philippine health authorities have issued advisories on dengue and are encouraging people to observe the 'four-S strategy':
1. Search and destroy all forms of mosquitoes.
2. Self-protect with measures like protective clothing, repellents and screens in windows and doors.
3. Seek early consultation when ill.
4. Say no to indiscriminate fogging as it only kills adult mosquitoes and can create a false sense of security, thus increasing dengue cases.
For its part, the Philippine National Red Cross has mobilized already trained and experienced volunteers to carry out awareness campaigns, as well as to search out and destroying the mosquito breeding sites.
Some National Societies have also stepped up blood donation activities to meet the high demand for blood and blood products among dengue patients.
Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral infection - transmitted by a day-biting mosquito, Aedes aegypti - which causes a severe flu-like illness, and at times a potentially fatal complication called dengue haemorrhagic fever. The symptoms of dengue are usually high fever, severe headache, pain in the muscles or joints, and a rash. Bleeding from the nose or gums, and a deteriorating condition after the fever has subsided are also some of the danger signs of dengue.
In Asia, Aedes aegypti breeds mainly in stagnant water found in containers such as earthenware jars, flower vases, cans, discarded food containers, used tyres and other items that collect rainwater.
The worst dengue outbreak in recent history in this region was in 1998, when WHO reported 350,000 cases in South East Asia and nearly 1,500 deaths.
"National Societies are important in activating communities in dengue prevention, which starts in everybody's backyard. Cleaning mosquito breeding sites is essential in curbing the outbreak, while knowing the danger signs of dengue saves lives," says Terhi Heinasmakie.