Severe form of dengue strikes as cases continue to mount in Laos
VIENTIANE (Vientiane Times/ANN) – Laos is facing an outbreak of the most virulent form of the dengue virus this rainy season.
The National Centre for Laboratory and Epidemiology has determined that dengue virus serotypes 2 and 4 have been the causative organisms of the more than 14,000 cases of dengue fever recorded, which have resulted in 31 deaths so far.
In particular, serotype 2 causes haemorrhagic fever, which has a high mortality rate. An analysis of the type 2 strain has shown that the virus has mutated. Minister of Health, Associate Prof. Dr Bounkong Syhavong, said Vientiane is experiencing an outbreak of the type 2 dengue virus which is the most toxic type. Champassak, Savannakhet and other southern provinces have also recorded cases involving type 2 of the virus.
Xayxana Leukai
http://annx.asianews.network/content/severe-form-dengue-strikes-cases-continue-mount-laos-100345
