Argentine Government Catching Heat For Handling Of Dengue Outbreak - 20,000 Infected, Five Dead

[hatrack]

BUENOS AIRES -- Argentina is gearing up precautionary measures against swine flu just as it struggles with another public-health crisis: an outbreak of mosquito-borne dengue fever. The government says in recent months more than 20,000 people have been diagnosed with dengue -- which causes a severe flu-like illness -- and five people have died from complications brought on by the disease.

Health Minister Graciela Ocana said her ministry warned of dengue fever in January, and says that disease is now receding amid intense efforts at mosquito eradication. The dengue outbreak has cast a harsh spotlight on the preparedness of Argentina's health system and the credibility of President Cristina Kirchner's government just weeks before crucial midterm elections.

About 80% of the dengue cases have been concentrated in two northern provinces, Chaco and Catamarca -- a warm area that is an ideal breeding ground for mosquitoes. The lesson from dengue is that "the Argentine health system simply isn't ready to handle the problems of our country," says Gonzalo Basile, president of the Argentine office of Doctors of the World, an international humanitarian group. The group says the number of dengue cases might be three times higher than the government is citing.

Argentina hasn't reported any cases of swine flu. Ms. Ocana on Sunday announced stepped-up vigilance at airports and preparations to provide treatment for any potential cases. In a statement, Doctors of the World accused provincial and national health officials of "flagrant manipulation, cover-up and opaqueness" in reporting the extent of the dengue outbreak. The group also criticized the federal government's lack of preventive policies against dengue, which specialists have been tracking in Argentina since 1996.

EDIT

This link may not work for you . . . damned if I know why it worked for me.


http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124087003193660939.html

[Avalux]

1. Ouch. Very important point to note -

Dengue Fever is a viral infection transmitted by mosquito and cannot be transmitted human to human. That said, there are an estimated 50 million cases per year in susceptible areas of the world.

[phantom power]

2. It's the mosquitos' world. We just live in it.

[dgibby]

3. Dengue is really nasty stuff.

I took care of lots of patients with Dengue when I was stationed in Puerto Rico. If it doesn't kill you, it sure does make you wish you were dead.

The bad news is that with global warming, diseases that were once seen only in the tropics will be spreading futher north. Not my idea of fun.

[mt1000]

4. Dengue way worse than pig flu!

Argentina and southern hemisphere countries shouldn't have to battle dengue alone.
It's about time the WHO or someone did advanced research into treatment for this awful fever!

Not only is dengue devastating it has a new spin off 'dengue-flu' disease that has a huge impact. I am in the Caribbean and got the spin off disease .... also mosquito born.
There is virtually no research into dengue. They just advise a lot of mosquito protection. But there are open sewers and lots of (foreign investment panic) resort/timeshare 'development' that breeds extra mosquitos.

This damn 'flu' about kills you. You cannot even stand up and it knocks you about for over a week. For working people without sick pay this is damaging.
It's ridiculous that in this modern scientific age this awful disease and its new mutant-disease(s) are not studied.
Oh, and tourists get it. Deaths from it by the vunerable (elderly) are covered up to protect tourism.

Don't stay overnight on any resort island during dengue fever outbreak is my advice!

[MaxFine]

5. Oh, that's GREAT!

Just what I needed to hear. I'm flying to Argentina this Friday.