First case of dengue spread by sex confirmed

MADRID – Spanish health authorities confirmed Friday a case of a man spreading dengue through sex, a world first for a virus which until recently was thought to be transmitted only by mosquitos.

The case concerns a 41-year-old man from Madrid who contracted dengue after having sex with his male partner who picked up the virus from a mosquito bite during a trip to Cuba, said Susana Jimenez of the Madrid region’s public health department.

His dengue infection was confirmed in September and it puzzled doctors

because he had not traveled to a country where the disease, which causes severe flu-like symptoms such as high fever and body aches, is common, she added.

“His partner presented the same symptoms as him but lighter around 10 days earlier, and he had previously visited Cuba and the Dominican Republic,” Jimenez said.

“An analysis of their sperm was carried out and it revealed that not only did they have dengue but that it was exactly the same virus which circulates in Cuba.”

A “likely” case of sexual transmission of dengue between a man and a woman was the subject of a recent scientific article in South Corea, Jimenez said.

In an e-mail sent to AFP, the Stockholm-based European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), which monitors health and disease in Europe, said this was “to our knowledge, the first sexual transmission of the dengue


virus among men who have sex with men.”

According to the World Health Organization’s website, dengue is transmitted mainly by the Aedes Aegypti mosquito, which thrives in densely-populated tropical climates and breeds in stagnant pools of water.

It is most serious – and deadly – in children, especially young girls, though scientists don’t know why.

Dengue is most commonly caught by people traveling to hotter climates such as southeast Asia, Africa, Australia, the Caribbean and South and Central America.

source: philstar.com

Dengue cases on the rise in Brunei due to rainy season

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN - The Ministry of Health (MoH) has reminded the public to be wary of mosquito-borne diseases, especially during the current rainy season, as the reported number of dengue cases was on the rise in Brunei.

The MoH, in a statement released on Sunday, said that in 2012, a total of 290 cases of dengue fever were recorded while for this year, a total of 349 cases have been reported up to Oct. 12.

Mosquitoes are vectors for diseases such as dengue fever, malaria, chikungunya, filiriasis and Japanese encephalitis, the MoH said.

A similar increase has been reported in other countries in the region and it was found to be associated with a higher volume of rainfall that caused increasing occurrence of water stagnation where mosquitoes breed rapidly.

The public is advised to take on a number of preventative measures, including wiping out mosquito breeding sites and seeking medical treatment when showing any listed symptoms.

Mosquitoes are known to breed in pools of stagnant water in places such as flower vases, clogged drains, plastic bottles and used tires, among others.

Most of the dengue fever cases in Brunei Darussalam were reported in the Brunei-Muara District, with only a small number in the other districts.

source: interaksyon.com

West Nile virus on the rise in the U.S., health officials say

(CNN) -- The United States is experiencing its biggest spike in West Nile virus since 2004, with 241 cases of the disease reported nationwide this year so far, including four deaths, health officials said.

Of the 42 states that have reported infections in people, birds or mosquitoes, 80% of them have been in Texas, Mississippi and Oklahoma, the CDC said in a statement. The national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also listed a breakdown of infections by state.

"It is not clear why we are seeing more activity than in recent years," said Marc Fischer, a medical epidemiologist at the CDC. "Regardless of the reasons for the increase, people should be aware of the West Nile virus activity in their area and take action to protect themselves and their family."

The virus is transmitted through infected mosquitoes.

In the United States, most infections occur between June and September, and peak in August, according to the CDC.

Symptoms include fever, headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash, the CDC said in a statement this week.

"Less than 1% develop a serious neurologic illness such as encephalitis or meningitis (inflammation of the brain or surrounding tissues)," it said.

People over age 50 and those with conditions such as cancer, diabetes and kidney disease or with organ transplants are at greater risk.

There are no medications to treat West Nile virus or vaccines to prevent infection. People with milder illnesses typically recover on their own but those more seriously affected may need hospital care.

Health experts say prevention measures include avoiding mosquito bites, using insect repellent and getting rid of insect breeding sites.

Symptoms of West Nile virus

source: CNN

Dengue kills two children in Negros Oriental

Dengue remained a major threat to several parts of the country even before the onset of the rainy season, with two preschool children in Negros Oriental among the latest fatalities.

The Department of Health in Negros Oriental also said the number of cases increased with the early onset of the rainy season, news site Visayan Daily Star reported Wednesday.

Provincial DOH head Dr. Socrates Villamor said that as of May 15, the total number of confirmed dengue cases in Negros Oriental had reached 235.

Villamor described the fatalities as a five-year-old girl from Sibulan town who died last January; and a three-year-old from Bacong, who died last week.

He also noted a 33-percent increase this year, compared to the 177 cases with no deaths in the same period last year.

Dumaguete City topped the list of local government units with the most number of dengue cases at 109; Bayawan City with 23; Tanjay, 19; Bais, 10; Bacong, nine; Sibulan, eight; Manjuyod and San Jose, seven cases each; and Dauin and Guihulngan, with six cases each.

The towns of Amlan, Vallehermoso, La Libertad and Jimalalud had no dengue cases reported for the same period, while the rest of the LGUs had five cases and below, Villamor said.

But he allayed fears of an epidemic, saying the increase was expected because of the rainy season.

Meanwhile, Villamor reminded the public to adopt the government’s 4S strategy in combating dengue – Search and Destroy breeding places of dengue mosquito vectors; Seek early consultation; adopt Self-Protection measures like the use of insect repellant lotion; and Say No to indiscriminate fogging.


Residents who manifest symptoms of high fever, rashes and nausea must consult a physician immediately. — LBG, GMA News

source: gmanetwork.com