A number of children under 12 years of age have died from dengue in Kalemyo, Sagaing division western Burma.

Reports available suggest that though there are some adults among the dead, most are children under12 years.  Dengue broke out in the first week of June 2009. Things have come to such a pass that the Kalemyo civil hospital and private clinics are full of patients. There are not less than 100 patients visiting the clinics and hospital every day.

A lady doctor, who recently opened a private clinic said, "Most patents admitted are children. With patients increasing by the day not enough beds are available in the civil hospital. Two or three patients are sharing a bed. The situation is terrible. The hospital is admitting only serious patients".

Private clinics are also facing a rush of patients suffering from dengue. Although the disease is not as dangerous for teenagers and adults, it can be fatal for children. A number of children have died. However, there is no record of the number of dead, she added.

The doctor said that the main reason for the rise in dengue is lack of preventive measures and creation of awareness in the town and villages by local authorities. The authorities have not sprayed anti-mosquito repellants in the houses. If an individual has to take preventive measures he has to spend at least one lakh Kyat. People below the poverty line cannot afford it. Dengue results mainly from mosquito bites.

There have been instances of deaths among children from dengue in Pegu Township, in Burma.- Khonumthung News