Dengue in Asia and the Pacific
26 Jul 2017
Dengue continues to be transmitted across Asia.
Australia reported 625 laboratory-confirmed dengue cases from 1 January to 30 June 2017 fewer than in the same time period in 2012–2016.
Bhutan reported 33 dengue cases in Phuentsholing, 46 in Samtse and 42 cases in Samdrupjongkhar between June and 13 July 2017 The health ministry announced an outbreak of dengue in these areas on 13 July 2017.
Cambodia reported 1 056 suspected dengue cases from 1 January to 14 July 2017, fewer than the same period in 2014–2016.
China reported 228 dengue cases from 1 January to 30 June 2017, similar to the same period in 2016.
French Polynesia reported 22 dengue cases between 18 June and 2 July 2017.
India reported 23 094 dengue cases including 32 deaths from 1 January to 16 July 2017 compared with 129 166 cases, including 245 deaths in all of 2016.
Laos reported 3 958 dengue cases from 1 January to 7 July 2017. During the same period in 2016 there were 1 734 cases.
Malaysia reported 53 750 dengue cases from 1 January to 16 July 2017 compared with 61 534 cases during the same period in 2016.
Myanmar reported 10 101 dengue cases, including 54 deaths from 1 January to July 2017,
New Caledonia reported 4 368 dengue cases, including 11 deaths.
Palau reported 329 dengue cases including three deaths from November 2016 to June 2017, In 2016, 53 cases were reported.
Pakistan reported 303 dengue cases in Sindh (Karachi) between 1 January to 21 July 2017.
Philippines reported 38 233 dengue cases, including 222 deaths from 1 January to of 3 June 2017.
Singapore reported 1 595 dengue cases from 1 January to 21 July 2017, fewer than in the same period in 2013–2016.
Sri Lanka reported 105 153 dengue cases, including 296 deaths from 1 January to 25 July 2017. About 44% of cases are in the the country’s Western province. The highest case numbers were reported in 27 week of 2017. During 2016, Sri Lanka reported 54 727 cases of dengue, including 78 deaths.
Thailand reported 12 611 dengue cases from 77 provinces from 1 January to 17 July 2017. This includes an increase by 4 283 cases since 28 June 2017.
Vietnam reported 50 000 cases of dengue, including 15 deaths from 1 January to 20 July 2017. This is four times as many cases as during the same period in 2016.
Recommendations for Travellers
The best way to avoid infection is to prevent mosquito bites. As the transmitting mosquitoes bite from dawn until dusk, long clothing should be worn and repellents should be used all day.
See also information about insect bite avoidance.
Medical attention must be sought for any feverish illness experienced whilst travelling or on your return home.
There is no vaccine against dengue fever for travellers.
A vaccine for use in people living in dengue affected countries aged between 9 – 45 years is available in Costa Rica, Brazil, Mexico and the Phillippines.
For further information see Dengue Fever.