Letter on dengue fever

Dear Editor,
Dengue is endemic in Maldives. We have had cases of Dengue Fever all year, every year for the past several years.
Like I said elsewhere, I would have said that this year is no different in terms of Dengue cases. But to me, as a clinician, it is distinctly different. We have had far more Dengue cases presenting in or progressing to critical Dengue Shock Syndrome. It is therefore likely that we, this year, are facing a more virulent strain of the Dengue Virus – not a mutation of the virus! Not that it is impossible but because a more likely possibility exists.
If we continue to get many cases of Dengue Shock Syndrome it is quite likely, despite our best efforts, that we lose a patient to the illness! That is the nature of the disease itself. Medical treatment has it’s limits and we work with additional constraints.
Regards,
Dr Abdullah Niyaf