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By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews
Since the beginning of the dengue epidemic in Tanzania a year ago, 6,677 cases have been reported, including 13 deaths, according to a report by ANI.
Ummy Mwalimu, Tanzanian Minister of Health, Community Development, Gender, Elders and Children, said: "There are 6,631 cases of infection and 11 deaths in the Dar es Salaam region alone."
It appears that the epidemic is slowing down, as there were 536 cases of dengue virus infection in June, while only six cases have been reported since the beginning of July .
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Dengue fever is a viral infection transmitted by the bite of an infected mosquito. Four closely related but antigenically different virus serotypes can cause dengue fever (DEN1, DEN 2, DEN 3, DEN 4).
Dengue fever (DF) – characterized by the sudden onset of high fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes and pain in the muscles and joints. Some may also have a rash and varying degrees of bleeding in various parts of the body (including nose, mouth and gums or bruising). Dengue fever has a broad spectrum of infection (asymptomatic to symptomatic). Symptomatic illness may range from dengue fever to more severe hemorrhagic fever.
Dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF) – is a more serious form, observed only in a small proportion of infected persons. DH is a stereotypical disease characterized by 3 phases; febrile phase with high fever continues usually less than 7 days; critical phase (plasma leakage) lasting 1 to 2 days, usually apparent when the fever drops, causing shock if not detected and treated promptly; convalescence phase lasting 2 to 5 days with improvement of appetite, bradycardia (fast heart rate), convalescent rash (white plaques on a red background), often accompanied by generalized itching (more intense in the palms and soles of the feet) and diuresis (increased urinary output).
Dengue shock syndrome (DSS) – Shock syndrome is a dangerous complication of dengue fever and is badociated with high mortality. Severe dengue occurs as a result of secondary infection with a different serotype virus. Increased vascular permeability, badociated with myocardial dysfunction and dehydration, contributes to the occurrence of shock resulting in multiorgan failure.
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