DILI, 28 April 2020 (TATOLI) – Health authorities have confirmed another four people have died in Timor-Leste from the latest outbreak of Dengue fever, bringing the total to eight this year.
The Ministry of Health said from January until now, 1,050 people have contracted the mosquito-borne virus.
Related news: As Timor Fends off Covid-19, Dengue Claims Four Lives in Ermera
628 of the patients are from Dili, 293 from Ermera district, and more than hundred from other municipalities such as Bobonaro, Aileu, Baucau, Lautem, Aileu, Manufahi, Covalima, Ainaro, Liquiça, and Manatuto.
However, Director-General of Health Services, Odete Viegas da Silva said there have been no reports from Oé-Cusse, Ambeno (RAEOA) Region and Viqueque.
“With the eight fatalities, six are from Dili, one from Baucau and one from Covalima,” she said.
Related news: MS Issues Dengue Warning After 80 New Cases in Ermera
Dr Viegas explained that dengue symptoms range from fever and high temperature for four days to seven days, to headaches, pain in the body and bones, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and red spots on the body.
“Most of the deadly cases come from dengue with high fever temperature and bleeding. This is because this type of dengue can cause toxic shock syndrome, and it can cause blood to seep from the nose, eyes and internally… and patients become gravely ill with multi-organ failure,” she said.
The Health Ministry has again urged people to maintain cleanliness in their houses, cover all the water tanks, to prevent Aedes aegypti mosquitos from breeding, and spreading to virus.
Journalist: Hortencio Sanchez
Editors: Robert Baird, Agapito dos Santos
Translation: Nelia Borges
