Dengue Fever: Published on 15 Jan, 2007

We have dengue fever gripping Banda Aceh. It is now in endemic proportions in Banda Aceh. Some people estimates that around 25% of the people might be affected with Dengue. In our organisation CARE, 2 expat staff and few local staff already got dengue fever.

We have already given a second alert to all the staff to take necessary precautions. We have also designated one of our Doctors to stand by specially to handle Dengue cases. Every staff were advised to report any minor fever,

Dengue fever comes through mosquito bites. The symptoms are very similar to maleria. Dengue mosquito bites during the early morning or just before dark. But malaria mosqito bites between 11- 3 in the night. But both some times can bite any time. Its a serious viral disease which is NOT CONTAGIOUS but affects people differently.

Surprisingly, there is no treatment for Dengue fever, just need to drink lots and lots of water and take plenty of rest. If it becomes severe, it can lead to Dengue hemorrhagic fever, which can be fatal.

For expats, our health services are covered under international Insurance called 'International SOS'. If our health condition become serious, we need to go to UN Doctor who will certify that we need to be air lifted to the nearest super speciality hospital (presently Singapore), and then to our home country. It is called MEDIVAC, or Medical evacuation. For people who are living in field areas, we also will hire helicopter or plane to bring them to main land.