Prediction of Storm Surge and Risk Assessment of Rakhine Costal Region

Rakhine coastal region, western coast of Myanmar, is prone to cyclone and storm surge flooding. The probability of cyclone in Rakhine coast is more than those of any other places of Myanmar coast. That’s why, it is very essential to develop storm surge risk maps for Rakhine state. The study area for numerical simulation covers the latitude 14° to 22° N and longitude 89.8° to 98.1° E. Five historical storm surge heights along the coast are determined both by empirical equation and simulated using Delft 3D numerical model coupling with Delft Dashboard and, compared with observed peak surge. Hazard maps of storm surge are developed by modelling three cyclone scenarios for respective recurrence interval. In this study, population data, housing data and livelihood data of Rakhine State during the period of 2010 are adopted for vulnerability analysis. Vulnerable maps for human and social sector, physical infrastructure sector and production sector are developed by using Analytical Hierarchy Process. Finally, risk maps for population, production, infrastructure and livelihood sector of Rakhine State by village tracts are developed by using ArcGIS 10.3

Investigation of Japanese Encephalitis Virus Infection in Bogalay Township, Myanmar in 1999

An investigation was in Nyi-naung-wa village, Bogalay township for Japanese encephalitis (JE) virus infection and the possibility of a JE outbreak. JE virus antibody was determined among the pigs and the people living near the pig farms in that village and at an adjacent village as a control. The known JE virus vector Culex mosquito species were also identified in both villages. Haemagglutination inhibition (HAI) methods were used for the detectioon of JE and dengue antibodies. Homotypic or monotypic JE antibodies were detected in 33% of the pigs tested. No homotypic nor monotypic JE antibodis was detected among the villagers. Although there was no JE virus infection among the people, because of the presence of JE virus infection among the pigs and the presence of Culex mosquito vector in that area, the possibility of a JE outbreak in humans in that area, if the number of pig breeding per household increase and the mosquito density become higher is discussed

Optimization of the Dengue-2 Antigen ELISA Titer for the Positive Case Detection of Dengue Virus Infection by IgM ELISA

We have determined the dengue-2 antigen ELISA titer for the positive case detection of dengue virus infection by IgM ELISA using 33 paired serum samples of dengue patients admitted to the North Okkalapa General Hospital, Yangon, Union of Myanmar, in June and July, 1994. The antigen ELISA titer was found to be over 32 units in order to find out sufficient number of positive cases. This finding can be used as a reference for further experiments and the development of tetravalent dengue antigen for routine serodiagnosis of dengue virus infection

Application of IgM-capture ELISA on Myanmar Dengue Patients\u27 Serum Samples Collected in 1994

Seventy serum samples from clinically diagnosed dengue patients admitted to the North Okkalapa General Hospital, Yangon, Union of Myanmar, in 1994, were used to obtain the confirmed virological diagnosis by IgM-capture ELISA using all four types of dengue antigens raised by cell culture method. Sixty-two out of 70 specimens (88.6%) showed positive IgM ELISA titer against one or more assay antigen. Single application of dengue 2 antigen could detect 59 out of 62 positive sera (95.1% of total positives), whereas three more samples could be detected by using other serotypic antigens (either single antigen or double antigens in combination). Ten samples showing positive by single dengue antigen but negative results by the rest could possibly be due to the primary infection which showed serotype specific immune response

The potential of task shifting selected maternal interventions to auxiliary midwives in Myanmar: a mixed-method study

Background: An estimated 282 women die for every 100,000 live births in Myanmar, most due to preventable causes. Auxiliary Midwives (AMWs) in Myanmar are responsible for providing a package of care during pregnancy and childbirth to women in rural hard to reach areas where skilled birth attendants (Midwives) are not accessible. This study aims to examine the role of AMWs in Myanmar and to assess the current practices of three proposed essential maternal interventions (oral supplement distribution to pregnant women; administration of misoprostol to prevent postpartum haemorrhage; management of puerperal sepsis with oral antibiotics) in order to facilitate a formal integration of these tasks to AMWs in Myanmar. Methods: A mixed methods study was conducted in Magwe Region, Myanmar involving a survey of 262 AMWs, complemented by 15 focus group discussions with midwives (MWs), AMWs, mothers and community members, and 10 key informant interviews with health care providers at different levels within the health care system. Results: According to current government policy, AMWs are responsible for identifying pregnant women, screening for danger signs and facilitating early referral, provision of counselling on nutrition and birth preparedness for women in hard-to-reach areas. AMWs also assist at normal deliveries and help MWs provide immunization services. In practice, they also provide oral supplements to pregnant women (84%), provide antibiotics to mothers during the puerperium (43%), and provide misoprostol to prevent postpartum haemorrhage (41%). The current practices of AMWs demonstrate the potential for task shifting on selected essential maternal interventions. However, to integrate these interventions into formal practice they must be complemented with appropriate training, clear guidelines on drug use, systematic recording and reporting, supportive monitoring and supervision and a clear political commitment towards task shifting. Conclusion: With the current national government’s commitment towards one AMW in one village, this study highlights the potential for shifting specific maternal lifesaving tasks to AMWs

Molecular evidence of drug resistance in asymptomatic malaria Infections, Myanmar, 2015

Artennisinin resistance containment in Myanmar was initiated in 2011 after artemisinin-resistant Plasmodium falciparum malaria was reported. Molecular evidence suggests that asymptomatic malaria infections harboring drug resistance genes are present among residents of the Myanmar artemisinin resistance containment zone. This evidence supports efforts to eliminate these hidden infections.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

Effective high-throughput blood pooling strategy before DNA extraction for detection of malaria in low-transmission settings

In the era of (pre) elimination setting, the prevalence of malaria has been decreasing in most of the previously endemic areas. Therefore, effective cost-and time-saving validated pooling strategy is needed for detection of malaria in low transmission settings. In this study, optimal pooling numbers and lowest detection limit were assessed using known density samples prepared systematically, followed by genomic DNA extraction and nested PCR. Pooling strategy that composed of 10 samples in 1 pool, 20 μl in 1 sample, was optimal, and the parasite density as low as 2 p/μl for both falciparum and vivax infection was enough for detection of malaria. This pooling method showed effectiveness for handling of a huge number of samples in low transmission settings.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

Myanmar Dengue Outbreak Associated with Displacement of Serotypes 2, 3, and 4 by Dengue 1

In 2001, Myanmar (Burma) had its largest outbreak of dengue—15,361 reported cases of dengue hemorrhagic fever/dengue shock syndrome (DHF/DSS), including 192 deaths. That year, 95% of dengue viruses isolated from patients were serotype 1 viruses belonging to two lineages that had diverged from an earlier, now extinct, lineage sometime before 1998. The ratio of DHF to DSS cases in 2001 was not significantly different from that in 2000, when 1,816 cases of DHF/DSS were reported and dengue 1 also was the most frequently isolated serotype. However, the 2001 ratio was significantly higher than that in 1998 (also an outbreak year) and in 1999, when all four serotypes were detected and serotypes 1, 2, and 3 were recovered in similar numbers. The large number of clinical cases in 2001 may have been due, in part, to a preponderance of infections with dengue 1 viruses