Is it dengue season?

As you can imagine, this sign, in front of a Siam Reap Children's hospital, was somewhat disturbing to me. Dengue fever season is upon us in Cambodia. It arrives after the first rains which bring with it mosquitoes attracted to the standing water. \ I was about to blog on it on my official InSTEDD blog since it has been over a month since I have written on in my official blog. There are so many interesting things happening here, but because we are working closely with the government and relationships and information is sensitive, there is very little I can say publicly. Yes! I could blog about something -- dengue. I could write about how there was an epidemic last season, and how international aid focuses on 'cool' diseases like HIV, malaria and TB and dengue gets neglected. This photo provided a perfect entree.

Luckily, I held off for a few days, and mentioned to one of my World Health Organization colleagues how surprised I was that, on the road to Angkor Wat, there would be a huge sign warning of a dengue epidemic. It seemed like it would scare away tourists. She said, "oh, that sign has been there for years." Dengue season is here, but I guess that sign is used to get funding for the hospital, and it works quite well. Friends and family - don't worry! Derek and I are in good health, and dengue is not a serious health risk for a healthy Western adult with access to good medicine. Photo: Ta Prohm at Angkor Wat

P.S. Last night I saw an incredible documentary at my favorite hang out spot here - Meta House (art work/lounge/films). It was an early 1970s documentary called Vietnam: The Quiet Mutiny by journalist John Pilger. The images looked so contemporary, you felt like you were watching our soldiers in Iraq. It was the story of how the 'grunts' were rebelling against the 'lifers' (officers) in 1970, and were the real reason the US would not last in Vietnam. It had an unsettling scene with a group of American Red Cross women with bouffont hairdos doing dances to cheer up the men. Seek it out if you can or buy it from his website! (And if I can open my documentary screening space someday, I will show it.)