More than 10 people have died following an outbreak of hemorrhagic dengue fever in Mongton and Monghsat, opposite Chiangmai province, reports coming from the Thai-Burma border said.

Dubbed by locals as “Elephant typhoid,” the first case was detected in Napakao, Mongton Township on 20 August. “Two died on their way to Mongton hospital,” said a source from Nakawngmu, a village 29 miles north of the Mongton-Chiangmai border.

The disease later spread to the neighbouring township of Monghsat in the east. “Six people died in one day alone,” said the Monghsat source, who arrived on the border.

Dr Sai Hsarm Tip, who works among migrant labourers on the border, told SHAN the main reason was there were no facilities in Mongton and Monghsat to conduct blood tests.

“They have to be sent to Kengtung, Taunggyi or even Rangoon,” he said. “And by the time the disease has been diagnosed, it is already too late to help the patients.”

“I have heard that the people, finding the state health care system unreliable, bought medicines to treat themselves,” he added. “Some used Novalgin injection which worsens the patient’s condition.”

Dengue, a disease caused by mosquitoes, is also reported in Chiangmai. Doctors say there is as yet no cure for it “except lots of rest and drinking lots of water.”

Burma’s ruling junta reportedly spends 0.4 per cent of its budget on health, 0.5 per cent on education and 30 per cent on defence. The latest constitution that was drawn up by the junta has promised “to promote socio-economic development including education, health, economy, transport and communications, so forth, of less developed National races.” (Section 22)