The incidence of dengue fever, the mosquito borne viral disease,  has grown dramatically around the world in recent decades, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Over 2.5 billion people – over 40% of the world’s population – are now at risk from dengue. WHO currently estimates there may be 50–100 million dengue infections worldwide every year.

Southeast Asia/Hariboneagle927
Southeast Asia/Hariboneagle927

The disease is now endemic in more than 100 countries in Africa, the Americas, the Eastern Mediterranean, South-east Asia and the Western Pacific. South-east Asia and the Western Pacific regions are the most seriously affected.

Here are updates on the situations on several Asian countries in 2015:

Thailand

Through Nov. 16, the Thailand Bureau of Epidemiology has reported a total of 111,825 cases from 77 provinces, including 108 deaths. The areas with the highest morbidity include Rayong, Petchburi, Rachaburi, Uthaithani and Prachinburi.

Taiwan

Since this summer, a cumulative total of 34,887 indigenous dengue cases, including 22,444 cases in Tainan City, 11,796 cases in Kaohsiung City, 220 cases in Pingtung City and imported and sporadic cases in other cities and counties, have been confirmed. To date, a cumulative total of 158 deaths, including 112 deaths in Tainan City, 44 deaths in Kaohsiung City, and 2 deaths in Pingtung City, were found to be linked with dengue infection.

Malaysia

As of 7 November, there were 102,801 cases of dengue with 283 deaths reported in Malaysia for 2015. This is 18.5% higher compared with the same reporting period of 2014 (n=86,765).

The Philippines

As of 17 October 2015, there were 124,728 suspected cases of dengue, including 374 deaths, reported in Philippines. This is 40.3% higher compared with the same reporting period in 2014 (n=88,898). All four DENV serotypes have been detected in 2015.

Singapore

As of 17 November 2015, there were 9,071 cases of dengue reported in Singapore for 2015.

Related: Dengue fever: Nine additional cases reported in Hawaii, How does this compare to previous outbreaks?

Laos

As of 6 November, there were 1,641 cases of dengue and no deaths reported in Lao PDR for 2015.

Cambodia

As of 13 October 2015, there were 12,218 cases of dengue, including 34 deaths, reported in Cambodia. The number of cases is decreasing and it follows seasonal trend between 2011 and 2013.

Robert Herriman is a microbiologist and the Editor-in-Chief of Outbreak News Today and the Executive Editor of The Global Dispatch

Follow @bactiman63

Related: