1 ATF assists disease outbreak in Phuoc Tuy Province DPR/TV/1151

Following an outbreak of dengue fever in the town of Long Dien, about five miles south of 1ATF base this week, a team of Australian Army health technicians were sent to assist the people. Comprising a trained health inspector, Lt Phil Hills of Liverpool, NSW, and members of the 1st Field Hygiene Company, the team co-ordinated its effort with the Phuoc Tuy Province Health Educator, Mr Vu-Dinh-Thien, in an effort to control the disease carriers...mosquitoes. The project involved spraying the effected area, including the houses. They used mobile and man-portable insecticidal spraying equipment to kill the adult mosquitoes and eliminate the breeding grounds. On-the-spot inspections of the worst areas were carried out before the combined Australian and Vietnamese teams went into action. The Vietnamese were warned by loud hailers and leaflets of the dangers of leaving foodstuffs exposed to the insecticides and advised of the precautions they should take to prevent further outbreaks of disease. On the advice of Lt Hills, the town's market place - long a breeding ground for mosquitoes, received special treatment. This included a separate spray for flies, rats and fleas. The civic action operation took more than two days to complete and during this time hundreds of empty containers and cans were emptied and either removed or covered. The Australians will continue the assistance to the Provincial authorities during the current monsoon season in the hope the people themselves realise the dangers from mosquitoes and take the necessary precautions. Dengue fever has been a series health hazard in Phuoc Tuy for years but is being gradually wiped out by the control measures being offered by the Task Force. Note. Dengue fever is a viral infection spread by the bite of an infected aedes egypti mosquito. It manifests itself in fever, general malaise, rashes and acqwuires its common name of break bone fever because of the distressing pains in the bones and joints. During the past month three people, including little children, have died of the disease in the Long Dien district. Also identified: Pte Michael Whitley of Wagga, NSW; Pte Peter Donovan of Geelong, Vic; Cpl Clive Robartson of Fremantle, WA.