The Ministry of Health has announced that dengue fever remains a major health concern in Cambodia with almost 4,000 cases recorded so far this year.

Huy Rekol, head of the National Centre for Parasitology, Entomology and Malaria Control (CNM), explained that those who contract the mosquito-borne disease generally develop a fever of 39 or 40 degrees Celsius at first.

“Additional symptoms include red faces and dry eyes. Some patients also experience stomach aches, joint pain or sever rashes,” he said.

The CNM reported that 2023 saw a total of 35,390 cases of dengue fever and 99 deaths (a 0.28 per cent mortality rate), a nearly threefold increase over 2022, when just 12,985 cases and one death were recorded.

Yay Chantana, director of the Jayavarman VII Children’s Hospital, commonly known as Kantha Bopha, said that since the beginning of this year, 659 children have been admitted to the hospital in Siem Reap province with dengue fever.

He urged parents and guardians to take care of their children, warning them that because kids like to play outside, they are at greater risk of being bitten by mosquitoes.

“Please take good care of your children. There is no vaccine to defend them against this disease. Parents and guardians should play an active part in the eradication of places where mosquitoes can lay their larvae,” he added.

Keo Vannak, director of the Tbong Khmum provincial health department, said dengue cases appeared to be on the decline in the province.

Thanks to the active implementation of the measures recommended by the health ministry, just three cases were recorded in the first three months of the year.

“We will continue our efforts to fight dengue. Last year, we saw 1,402 cases and recorded two deaths [in Kratie],” added Vannak.

Bun Sour, director of the Mondulkiri provincial health department, said a dengue fever response team has been conducting outreach programmes to educate the public on the most effective preventative measures. In the first ten weeks of the year, his department had recorded just three cases.

“Since January, we have been outlining dengue fever prevention measures almost everywhere, including school campuses and public spaces. We will continue to inform people about how they can protect themselves from dengue fever,” he added.

In addition, he explained that a late March campaign will see old car tyres, cans and other potential sources of standing water collected and destroyed.