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Myanmar

Myanmar: Health cluster situation report no. 43, 16 Sep 2008

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HIGHLIGHTS

- There has been a marked reduction in number of cases of dengue over the past three months.

- The Myanmar Government's national programme for malaria is currently undertaking a "malaria risk assessment".

- In some areas of the delta some health cluster partners are gradually phasing out their activities.

SITUATION UPDATE

- Clean drinking water remains a major problem in the delta, and although a large number of ponds have been cleaned, many remain salinated.

- The Myanmar Government's national programme for malaria is currently undertaking a "malaria risk assessment". Data to date indicate that the majority (70-75%) of malaria cases in Myanmar are males. Mapping of malaria-endemic regions is needed to ensure that adequate numbers of mosquito nets are provided to match the needs in different regions.

HEALTH CLUSTER RESPONSE

1. Disease Surveillance

- Week 36 (1-7 Sept 2008) of the Early Warning, Alert and Response (EWARS) method of disease surveillance had reports of 24 cases of dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF), four cases of suspected measles and two cases of suspected tetanus.

- Twenty of the 24 DHF cases were from Pathein General Hospital. The remaining cases were from Mawlamyinegyun and Wakema (two cases each). Larviciding with 'abate' in order to tackle dengue in those areas continues.

- All measles cases were reported from Labutta, in patients above the age of 5 years. Measles surveillance in the area is being strengthened and case-based immunization is ongoing.

- The suspected tetanus cases were construction workers who were pricked by nails. They have been given tetanus-toxoid shots.

- There has been a marked reduction in number of cases of dengue over the past three months: 670 cases in June; 873 cases in July and 326 cases in August. Case fatality rate of Dengue has been low: in Ayeyarwaddy division is 0.34% (8 out of 2335) and for Yangon division it is 0.57% (16 out of 2704). Both numbers are lower than the 1% CFR used as the international standard.

- An in-depth analysis will need to be conducted with the MOH to see whether the decrease in dengue cases correlates with larviciding campaigns.