Ministry of Health has warned Malawians travelling to Tanzania to take precautionary measures against mosquito bites through which the viral infection dengue fever is transmitted.
Although fatality rate is low, the infection causes flu-like illness, which occasionally develops into a potentially lethal complication called severe dengue.
Ministry of Health spokesperson Henry Chimbali said the global incidences of dengue fever have grown in the recent past and Malawi needs to be on high alert.
“Malawi has a high disease burden already and we need to prevent this disease from entering our borders. The Ministry of Health is advising all Malawians travelling to Dar es Salaam to exercise caution and follow preventive measures to avoid getting bitten by mosquitoes that can transmit dengue fever,” Chimbali said.
He added that there was no specific treatment for dengue or severe dengue fever, but early detection and access to proper medical care lowers fatality rates below one percent.
Dengue is found in tropical and sub-tropical climates worldwide, mostly in urban and semi-urban areas. In Dar es Salaam townships, four people have died from severe dengue while 1 207 cases had been reported by May 21 2014.