Amanda O'Donnell
April 10, 2009
11:17pm
Dengue Outbreak in Argentina now considered an Epidemic
Health Minister Graciela Ocana said Wednesday that a dengue outbreak in the country has worsened to an epidemic, as nearly 8,000 people are officially reported to be infected with the disease. The Ministry said there are 7,869 cases throughout the country.
Dengue can incapacitate patients with severe headaches, joint pains, high fever and nausea. There is no specific medication to treat it, but authorities recommend consulting a doctor and drinking plenty of fluids. So far six people have died, including three infected with the severe hemorrhagic variant, which accounts for a fraction of dengue cases.
The Health Ministry has launched a national campaign to educate people on dengue prevention, including wearing insect repellant and covering exposed body parts with thick clothing.
Authorities say Argentina's worst outbreak since the disease reappeared in the country in 1997 is linked to an epidemic in neighboring Bolivia, which has registered 51,000 cases.
I think what I have found most interesting about all these articles that I have read all semester is how things like these NEVER happen in the United States. I mean I know for the most part why certain things don't take place, such as diseases that are caused by poor sanitation. I guess what stands out to me the most is how much people in the United States complain about what we have and what is going on here in our country, but would they see what other countries are dealing with and then maybe they wont be so selfish. Every week I look up these articles it truly amazes me what is going on around the world and yet most of America has no idea anything is happening.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30115212/
4 comments:
When I read this I feel fortunate to live in the United States. We not only have the best military but our advances in medicine rank us as one of the highest in the world. I am thankful for our high standards and protection from things such as this outbreak.
I think it is crazy how popular these sicknesses are in other countries. These people have to fear every day of Dengue fever and Malaria because it is so popular, and yet minimal protection against them. It makes me feel bad for these areas knowing that we do not live with these sicknesses and that we dont even think about it, or what is going on in these other countries.
I definitely feel lucky that we dont have to suffer these problems living in the U.S. but at the same time it feels like there should be more that we can do, being so high in medicine rank and everything, i wonder why we spent so much capital in pointless efforts like wars for profit, and are still unable to help smaller countries who are suffering of epidemics.
Argentina is better then the USA in many ways. For one more people can read in Argentina then here in the USA. AT the least Argentina is the same as Usa except for the health problems. And Argentina is not a small country Juan Miranda. And more people live in poverty here then the Usa so there goes those high standards
Post a Comment