Beware the Aedes aegypti
Dengue fever season has arrived again with a vengeance, not that I consider it ever goes away. In the Bali climate, not much goes into winter hibernation, least of all these little critters known as Aedes aegypti to scientists, or dengue mozzies to us mortals. Right now it’s 33-35ºC and the first words you hear from even locals is panas sekali (b-extra hot). Then to crown it, humidity has been 77-88. You don’t need wet rice paddies or stagnant water to meet them. A walk in the garden will prove my point. They are everywhere, just waiting to meet you.
Come prepared with mosquito zapper rackets, citronella candles and insect repellant, spray or cream and stay vigilant in fighting off the little blood-suckers. Don’t ever go out or sit out before covering yourself and family from ankles to ears with “Bug-off” or something similar. If you have to replenish supplies, change the brand regularly. Beware of those lurking under restaurant tables.
The Head of Bali’s Provincial Health Office, Dr. Wira Sunerta says there were 9,826 total cases of dengue fever on record in 2015, right across the island. Up until 3rd December 2015, 27 deaths in Bali from the mosquito-borne virus were recorded. Fortunately I was in the first statistic, not the second. Hello! I’m still around, you little pests!
From personal experience, I can tell you dengue fever is not fun, really not a way to spend a holiday. You just don’t want to do anything, say anything, eat anything, drink anything.
If you don’t like water, drink coconut water straight out of the coconut. It helps prevent dehydration naturally There is also an isotonic drink in the mini-markets called Pocari Sweet. NOT Red Bull! This “oral rehydration therapy” apparently does not include Bintang Pilsner, according to my lady.
Dr. Sunerta says the high numbers of dengue cases is largely due to inadequate mosquito eradication methods in country areas. Your area should be fogged regularly, so if you hear this machine sound unlike the 2,000,000 motorbikes that pass you daily in Bali, then see a blue cloud thicker than the one made by those same bikes, you know a “fogger” is at work. Cover your nose and be happy. Apparently it’s only burning paraffin, but the little critters choke on it. Yeh!
Now here’s one for you men that you won’t find in Men-Only mag. I have used it regularly in my 3 years in Bali; just missed that ONE time. If you get bitten and see a welt coming up, boil some water, put a spoon in it till nice and hot, then apply to bite spot for a few seconds. It apparently changes the chemical composition of the stuff just injected into you so that it loses its potency. Don’t be a ninny and scream or the rest of the family will not succumb to this recommended treatment. If you don’t enjoy this pain, the pain from dengue’s other name “breakbone fever” will make you change your mind.
Now I’m not one to complain, so here’s an article with some comments that will bear me out and give you some more useful info. Then if you want to get really technical, read this Wikipedia article. There’s even a photo of the cute little culprit so you can recognize it if one lands on you. Nice and colourful! Quite pretty, in fact, until you ZAP it. Don’t wait. Most thingies that land on you in Bali are not fairies!
By the way, in case you are thinking: “I’m not going to Bali to get bitten by one of them,” have a look at the map on Wikipedia. Most tropical destinations have dengue mozzies, even in North Oz! They now inhabit 110 countries, ho hum!
Vaccine (Wikipedia)
In December 2015, the first dengue fever vaccine received approval in Mexico and should be available in 2016. The vaccine is produced by Sanofi and goes by the brand name Dengvaxia. It is based on a weakened combination of the yellow fever virus and each of the four dengue serotypes.
