Dengue fever hits Yunnan

By Chen Qian  |   2008-10-15  |     ONLINE EDITION

YUNNAN Province has had 55 dengue fever cases reported from late August to Monday, the province’s Health Bureau said today.

Forty-eight of the cases were imported, the bureau said. The first two cases were discovered on August 24 in Ruili city and originated in Burma.

No deaths have been reported so far. The patients mostly live in Dehong, Lincang and Xishuangbanna, and have just returned after working or traveling in Burma, according to the Xinhua News Agency.

Dengue fever out broke in Burma this year after the tropical storm, according to the report. Dengue fever is an acute febrile disease transmitted from one infected person or animal to another by mosquitoes.

Patients suffer a sudden onset of severe headaches, muscle and joint pains, fevers and rashes. Most patients can be cured but there can be fatalities.

The Health Bureau has taken urgent measures to quarantine the patients and is screening for more cases and disinfecting in its areas.