In fact, Thailand reports insignificant increase of dengue cases compared to the same period of the previous year, and there are more registered patients with dengue in Cambodia; while in Myanmar there is almost the three times decrease and Laos has 25% less cases as well.
While mosquito-borne dengue fever is more easily transmitted during wet weather due to the higher number of mosquitos, the risk of catching the virus exists any time of the year. To secure your safety, use mosquito repellents, wear long sleeve shirts and long pants, avoid areas with stagnant water, e.g. ponds, lakes and even lotus pots. Mosquitos which transmit dengue are of black colour with white striped legs and they more active in the morning and at sunset as well as during the day in the shady areas. They do not bite during the night.
The best recommendation before you set on for your travel is to check whether your medical insurance covers dengue or not. While the treatment for dengue is fully symptomatic, it is much safer (and pleasant, believe us!) to stay in hospital than in a guest house if you fall ill. As a rule of thumb, if you run high fever in SEA, do not try to bring the temperature down with nurofen – use paracetamol instead. If the fever persists over 3 days, see a doctor.
Dengue Fever Is Here – Stay Healthy While Travelling
News in Asia
With the monsoon season in high gear in many regions of the Southeast Asia, reports about outbreaks of dengue fever in the foreign media leave tourists in doubt whether to change their travel plans or not.