Egypt’s Ministry of Health announced today, 18 July, that the “mysterious” epidemic illness which had recently been reported in the village of Naga Sandal in Aleeqat, Qous, in the southern province of Qena some 580km south of Cairo, was Dengue Fever.
Some 70 individuals in the village had complained of fever and fatigue and, in some cases, vomiting. The cases were not severe, none required hospitalisation; they took the necessary treatment at home. According to the Health Ministry, no casualties were reported.
Following extensive investigations by the Health Ministry in Naga Sandal, cited in a statement to have included thorough medical examination of the patients, as well as field and environment investigations, it was revealed that the village included spots of stagnant water and garbage piles that were infested with mosquitoes that carried Dengue Fever. The patients tested positive for the disease.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Dengue Fever is a vector-borne disease transmitted through infected mosquito bites; in severe cases, it can be life-threatening. The disease is not common in Egypt, but may recur sporadically.
The Health Ministry said that all measures to battle the disease will be implemented, and precautions will be taken against its spread.
Watani International
18 July 2023