Dengue Fever in American Samoa rises after Tsunami

[icymist]

Source: New Zealand Hearld

The number of confirmed cases of dengue fever in American Samoa doubled in the month following the deadly 29 September tsunami.

Dr Aloiamoa Anesi, chief medical officer at LBJ Tropical Medical Centre, said American Samoa's only hospital in October confirmed 62 cases and the territory's first two deaths of 2009 from the mosquito-borne disease.

"This is a definite increase from September figures (27 confirmed cases) as predicted with post-tsunami outdoor living for a lot of affected villagers," Anesi said.



Read more: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=10608167

[grantcart]

1. I had the joy of Dengue - also called "Break bone fever" because of

its intense pain.


Native populations get immunity through early exposure where small children experience a mild fever.


Non native populations experience something worse than Malaria although unlike Malaria after the first two week exposure it will not reoccur. You can go to other tropical areas and get different versions though.


Global warming is increasing the territory of the particular mosquito that carries the disease. This old map shows its traditional areas. In a decade or so it should begin to reach the southern parts of Europe.

A useful example of some of the many unintended problems that climate change brings:




Blue areas show where the mosquito now habitats but does not carry Dengue.

[XemaSab]

2. "The Joy of Dengue" is on my shelf

right next to the "Joy of Cooking." :P

[Kali]

3. isn't that a band from SE Asia?

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