An 8-year-old boy suffering from a severe case of dengue fever has recovered after receiving life-saving treatment at Jayavarman VII Hospital in Siem Reap. The boy was among more 300 cases of dengue that have been reported in Preah Vihear province so far this year.
The boy, from Koulen Tbong commune in Koulen district, was rushed to the hospital on May 25 after being referred from the 16 Makara Referral Hospital.
The Preah Vihear provincial health department has confirmed that dengue cases are now being reported daily across all seven districts and the provincial capital. The most affected districts are Koulen, Sangkum Thmei and Tbeng Meanchey.
The young patient first developed a fever on May 20. His father initially bought medicine from a pharmacy, but by May 22, he began bleeding from his gums and passing black stools — clear signs of internal bleeding — prompting his father to bring him to the referral hospital. There, he was treated with intravenous fluids and received three units of blood transfusions.
“Upon arrival, the patient exhibited bleeding from the gums, fresh red bloody vomiting, pallor, low blood pressure and weakness. The patient was treated with a continued blood transfusion of 7 units,” said the Jayavarman VII Hospital, in a statement.
After five days of care, the boy was discharged on May 29.
With the rainy season underway, the hospital has urged all parents to remain vigilant in protecting their children from dengue fever and to eliminate potential mosquito breeding grounds around their homes.
Kuong Lo, director of the Preah Vihear health department, told The Post that over 300 cases have been reported in the province so far this year, with one death recorded.
“We’ve only recorded one fatality. While there have been several severe cases, we’ve managed to save most of them. The death occurred because the patient arrived too late, beyond the point of recovery,” he said.
The department is actively conducting various public health interventions. On the morning of May 29, Lo launched a training session for health staff from across the province, focused on dengue treatment and care.
His goal is to ensure timely responses and interventions during the outbreak.
A total of 62 health officials participated in the session, including those from health centres, referral hospitals, and district offices.
Health officials have also carried out large-scale larvicide treatments in household water containers, spraying insecticide in outbreak-affected and high-risk locations, as well as launching public education campaigns. These included community outreach, radio broadcasts, social media messages and direct patient care efforts by medical teams.
