Southeast Asia Thought COVID-19 Was Settling... Emergency as 'Dengue Fever' Spreads

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Hyun-woo] Southeast Asian countries, where the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) is reported to have somewhat subsided, are struggling with the spread of dengue fever. As lockdown measures increased due to COVID-19 prevention efforts, residents who had more frequent contact with mosquitoes at home contracted dengue fever, causing a rapid increase in cases.

According to foreign media such as CNBC on the 9th (local time), dengue fever cases in Southeast Asian countries are showing a sharp increase. The Singapore National Environment Agency (NEA) reported that the number of dengue fever cases in Singapore rose to 15,500 as of the 6th of this month. Indonesia had 68,000 dengue fever infections by the end of last month. Laos, which recently declared the end of the COVID-19 crisis, has seen over 2,600 dengue fever cases this year.

Dengue fever is a disease caused by the dengue virus transmitted mainly through mosquito bites, characterized as an acute febrile illness with high fever. The incubation period is 5 to 7 days, accompanied by sudden high fever, headache, and muscle pain. In severe cases, respiratory distress, shock, and bleeding may occur, which can lead to death. Without proper treatment, the fatality rate can reach about 20%, making it a dangerous disease.

Although the disease is not transmitted between humans if not bitten by mosquitoes, most residents have entered self-quarantine at home due to lockdown orders during the COVID-19 crisis, increasing their exposure time to mosquitoes indoors, leading to a rise in dengue fever cases. CNBC also reported that, except for Singapore, most Southeast Asian countries have weak public health systems, and the majority of public health resources have been allocated to COVID-19, which is also contributing to the surge in dengue fever patients.