An official sprays insecticide around potential mosquito breeding grounds in Phnom Penh on January 12. Phnom Penh health department
The success of preventive measures resulted in a significant drop in the number of reported dengue fever cases in Cambodia for 2024. Initially estimated to reach up to 75,000 cases, the actual number dropped to nearly 19,000, with 46 deaths recorded.
According to the Ministry of Health, the 75,000 figure was based on the traditional five-year cycle of dengue outbreaks. In actuality, the health ministry’s Communicable Disease Control Department (CDC) recorded 18,987 cases – almost four times lower than predicted.
By comparison, in 2023, Cambodia recorded 35,390 cases and 99 deaths. The 2024 case numbers fell by 46 per cent, while deaths dropped 56 per cent, from 99.
CDC head Dr. Ly Sovann hailed the decrease as a major success.
“Preventive efforts to curb the spread of dengue fever, particularly under the leadership of Prime Minister Hun Manet during the seventh-mandate government, played a crucial role in reducing the disease burden this year,” he told The Post on January 13.
Sovann emphasised the need for continued vigilance in the coming years, recommending renewed efforts to eliminate mosquito-breeding grounds such as stagnant water in coconut shells, old tyres, cans or other containers.
“Maintaining household hygiene, ensuring adequate lighting and ventilation, and working collectively will remain crucial in reducing dengue cases even further,” he added.
Traditionally, Dengue fever epidemics are cyclic in Cambodia, occurring every five years. Major outbreaks were recorded in 2007 with 39,618 cases and 396 deaths, in 2012 with 42,362 cases and 189 deaths and in 2019 with nearly 70,000 cases and 48 deaths.
“We anticipated up to 75,000 dengue cases in 2024, but due to the combined efforts of the Ministry of Health and the communicable disease authorities, as well as the participation of the public, we have significantly reduced the numbers,” said Sovann.
He expressed his hopes that sustained community involvement in eliminating mosquito-breeding grounds and maintaining preventive measures will see future cases continue to decline.
