There has been recent escalation in dengue in the Philippines. In 1918, the pandemic was preceded by mis-diagnosed dengue fever. I am starting to thread to seek a better understanding of the Philippines.
The south island of Mindanao has a partial Muslim population and is north of Indonesia, specifically Sulawesi (even though North Sulawesi is Christian, I think). There is actually a migratory bird sanctuary in the Philippines and H5 was found last year in dead ducks. Given that it is a poor country, socio economic conditions should be similar to other Asian countries and yet there is no bird flu, perhaps due to large scale poultry farming. I searched and found some news stories about Dengue and officials are doing the same thing as in other countries – down playing a threat in order not to cause alarm. The city of Baguio councilor is proposing a new bird flu law. The President of the Philippines is appealing medical practitioners to stay and not go abroad. I hope this is interesting stuff and please contribute.
Wikipedia: http://tinyurl.com/kydgq
Mindanao News: http://tinyurl.com/zwq5m
Manila Times: http://tinyurl.com/ek8tw
Baguio Councillor pushes bird flu law: http://tinyurl.com/f5gnc
Arroyo appeals to medical workers to stay in RP http://tinyurl.com/fwsdf
Bird flu reaches the Philippines (July 2005) http://tinyurl.com/pmtwr
I googled “dengue fever” and came up with the CDC
Dengue (DF) and dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) are caused by one of four closely related, but antigenically distinct, virus serotypes (DEN-1, DEN-2, DEN-3, and DEN-4), of the genus Flavivirus. Infection with one of these serotypes provides immunity to only that serotype for life, so persons living in a dengue-endemic area can have more than one dengue infection during their lifetime. DF and DHF are primarily diseases of tropical and sub tropical areas, and the four different dengue serotypes are maintained in a cycle that involves humans and the Aedes mosquito. However, Aedes aegypti, a domestic, day-biting mosquito that prefers to feed on humans, is the most common Aedes species. Infections produce a spectrum of clinical illness ranging from a nonspecific viral syndrome to severe and fatal hemorrhagic disease. Important risk factors for DHF include the strain of the infecting virus, as well as the age, and especially the prior dengue infection history of the patient.
Here’s the link: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/dengue/ Interesting that there are several strains.
There is cock fighting in the Philippines
BACKYARD AND COMMERCIAL PIGGERIES IN THE PHILIPPINES
Philippines is also a nation of archipelago, just like Indonesia. With all these similarities, there is hardly any bird flu. Some thing could be learned from their experience.
Effect Measure May 05, 2005 on Taking Bird Flu Seriously:
Laxity of quarantine officials at Manila airport hit
September 06, 2006
‘’Within 24 hours or even eight hours, imported fowls are released to their respective owners, Tabora said, adding that recently, he was able to bring in exotic birds to Baguio, hours after they were quarantined at the Naia.
The councilor said the only “problem” he encountered was the payment of taxes at the Bureau of Customs (BOC). ‘’
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
Dengue cases in Baguio go up
A report of the CHO said from just more than a hundred from January to July last year, dengue cases this year rose to 247 with one death. It also revealed that from 32 affected barangays in 2005, 77 barangays were affected this year.
ANON-YYZ,
Thank you for starting this thread. I am afraid it will become a very active thread in the near future. With so many chickens dying in Northern Sulawesi there is going to be a strong temptation for some farmers to sale them before they die. This has a radiating effect causing the disease to spread faster than it would naturally. Farmers are anxious to sell, and buyers see nothing but dollar signs, buy low in Sulawesi, sell high elsewhere, grease the palm of the custom officials. Mindanao, Borneo and New Guinea could all get a portion of chickens from Sulawesi.
There seems to be an unexplained barrier in the Philippines. If that is so, then it may act as a sentinel for us. Does any one know what happened in the 1918 pandemic in the Philippines?
Hi Anon - YYZ. Think of H5N1 as a tsunami wave…there are no barriers to infection.
I agree with you…the mixup between Dengue Fever and influenza occured in 1918 and if not already, will occur in the future.
You may want to go to FluTrakers. Dr. Niman has a thread he started this morning on Dengue in India. Many posting articles included.
http://tinyurl.com/r64td
Dengue cases rise to 35 in Delhi
One of the 12 medical students suffering from the deadly fever died on Saturday, less than 24 hours after he was admitted.
“The increased numbers of dengue cases indicate the situation is serious enough to be called an out break. However the medico death is an isolated incident. AIIMS has increased its emergency services for greater help,” AIIMS Medical Superintendent, DK Sharma, said.
Meanwhile, official figures released on Sunday indicate that the number of dengue cases in AIIMS has risen from 22 to 35 till date.
Out of the 35 patients registered so far, 18 are AIIMS resident doctors and five are the hospital staff. 12 others in the Capital are also suffering from the disease.
The Municipal Corporation of Delhi has issued a health advisory on measures to prevent dengue. Over 1,000 extra hands have been engaged to help the health officials.
Delhi may declare dengue as epidemic
NEW DELHI: With the national capital witnessing 121 fresh cases in the past week, authorities on Sunday swung into action deploying 2,400 additional personnel to contain the dengue outbreak that has killed 11 people so far…
…The outbreak, a common phenomenon during monsoon, appears to have assumed serious proportions with the death of 11 people this year against four during the corresponding period last year.
Altogether 448 cases have been reported till September-end this year as against 160 during the corresponding period last year…
Three things that bear monitoring:
There are many more cases than last year.
There seems to be a concentration in HCWs.
Fatality rate?
Thank you for starting this thread. I am afraid it will become a very active thread in the near future. With so many chickens dying in Northern Sulawesi there is going to be a strong temptation for some farmers to sale them before they die. This has a radiating effect causing the disease to spread faster than it would naturally. Farmers are anxious to sell, and buyers see nothing but dollar signs, buy low in Sulawesi, sell high elsewhere, grease the palm of the custom officials. Mindanao, Borneo and New Guinea could all get a portion of chickens from Sulawesi.
Please don’t say New Guinea…..
Q What is “Chikungunya”; and for extra credit, how did the doctor get it?
I’m not going to be able to get the extra credit answer…
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