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Saturday, February 25, 2012

Australia : SE Asia travellers warned of dengue fever danger

Via ABC News :

" The Northern Territory Centre for Disease Control says there have been more cases of dengue fever detected in the first two months of this year than the whole of 2011.

There CDC says there have been 34 cases in January and February, compared with 29 last year.

All were detected in travellers returning from trips to south-east Asia, including Bali and East Timor.

Dr Peter Markey says the incubation period is about a week and many people only realise they have the disease when symptoms arise at home.

"The big one, first of all, is fever," he said.

"Headache is invariable with dengue and it is usually behind the eyes.

"The most oppressive thing about dengue is the muscle and joint aches and pains.

"It really does give you this whole body ache.

"It is very difficult to move around.

"Some people call it breakbone fever."

Dr Markey says about half of the cases have required hospitalisation and the disease can be fatal."

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