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Public Health Doctor Warns Dengue Outbreak Could Be Deadly

By David Miho in Koror
Saturday: August 23, 2008

Palau’s public health director is warning that cases of dengue fever have reached epidemic levels, and that a reduced budget may make it difficult to combat the debilitating and potentially deadly disease.

Dr. Stevenson Kuartei, in a letter to Health Minister Dr. Victor Yano, says 31 dengue cases have been reported since August 1. He warned that six percent of those who contract dengue in Palau could die because of lack of financial resources.

“Palau is at risk of a major dengue fever epidemic that will have long lasting health and economic consequences,” wrote Kuartei.

He said most of the recent cases were school children. Kuartei also estimated that about 6 percent of those afflicted could lose their lives because the Public Health unit, facing budget cutbacks, is finding it difficult to provide adequate treatment.

In his letter, Kuartei said Palau’s leadership must make the current dengue outbreak a national priority and provide enough funding to effectively respond to the threat.

He also recommended activating Palau’s National Avian Flu Influenza and Emergency Infection Task Force

Kuartei said the Palau Hospital should use its Emergency Room as an out-patient clinic during evening hours, rather than close it as is now the case.

Dengue is a flu-like illness transmitted by a mosquito bite. Its symptoms are severe headaches, rashes, cramps, back and muscle pain and last for about two weeks. The disease can be fatal if supportive treatment is delayed.

Dengue hemorrhagic fever causes high fever and hemorrhagic consequences such as enlarged liver and in severe cases, circulatory failure.