Dengue fever spreads in Yemen

By Fatik al-Rodaini

SANA'A, May 17, 2012- Dengue fever has been spreading among the poorest social classes in Yemen's western cities of Hodeida and Harad.

Dengue fever has swept through Hodeida Central Security Prison and an African refugee camp because of poor sanitation and diet, health officials said.

"Security sources in the Central Prison in Hodeida mentioned that, the number of patients range from 50 to 70 people,'' the Yemen times reported.

Added when dengue fever had spread in the Central Prison, it caused dozens of patients. Then, it swept the African refugee camp in Harad of Hajja provinces.

The post said that 71 percent out of 115 cases were found to be infected. These cases were Ethiopians living in a camp run by the International Migration Organization which holds 3,000 Ethiopians.

The symptoms of Dengue Fever are sudden fever and severe cramps in the muscles. These symptoms appear within five-eight days after an infected mosquito bite.  After four-seven days a rash starts to appear causing itching all over the body.