WHO warns of major dengue outbreak in West Pacific

[villager]

Source: Reuters

WHO warns of major dengue outbreak in West Pacific


MANILA (Reuters) - The World Health Organization said on Monday the Western Pacific region could be at risk from a major outbreak of dengue unless governments improve efforts and cooperation to stamp out the virus.

About 40 percent of the world's population are at risk from dengue, and the mosquito-borne virus has spread rapidly across Southeast Asia this year due to warmer weather, heavy rains and crowded cities.

"Factors leading to the spread of dengue include population explosion, migration and rapid growth of urban areas, which place a heavy strain on public health services and access to drinkable water," said John Ehrenberg, a WHO regional adviser.

The virus, which is transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, causes severe fever, headaches, rashes and muscle and joint pain. Severe forms can cause hemorrhagic fever. There is no vaccine.

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Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070723/hl_nm/who_dengue_asia_dc

[kineneb]

1. the coming plague(s)...

About 40 percent of the world's population are at risk from dengue, and the mosquito-borne virus has spread rapidly across Southeast Asia this year due to warmer weather, heavy rains and crowded cities.

Laurie Garrett talked about this in her books, which were damned scary. And climate change will cause more problems, especially in the tropical regions. Unfortunately, dengue mosquitos and other disease vectors do not distinguish between political parties, so the Rs bogus arguments against scientific evidence will someday come back to bite them on a tender body part.

[villager]

2. and they won't be raptured away before it happens, either...

n/t

[TacticalPeek]

3. I give up.

Who?

[Mojorabbit]

4. I have been following it explode in Indonesia

while I watch avian flu news. Those poor people cannot cut a break.

[villager]

5. Isn't this far more widespread than avian flu?

n/t

[Mojorabbit]

6. Heck yes

They had to set up tents outside hospitals due to the explosion in dengue cases for a while. I think only around 101 cases of avian flu in indonesia but thousands of dengue cases.

[villager]

7. yet dengue is barely talked about here...

n/t