ROSEAU, Dominica, CMC – Health officials have stepped up surveillance at the island’s main ports as Dominica moves to prevent an outbreak of dengue fever that has affected some Caribbean countries.
“We will be conducting surveillance around our ports because dengue enters most likely through your airports and seaports and most likely through people coming in. We are advising people coming in that if they find that they are displaying signs of dengue, they need to refer themselves to their health centers or community hospitals for further check up by their physicians,” Acting Chief Environmental Office Anthony Scotland said.
Dominica was placed on a dengue alert after several countries in the region, including the French neighbouring islands of Martinique and Guadeloupe, reported outbreaks of the disease.
“Systems are in place at the health centers and at the hospital to deal with a possible outbreak of the disease. We need to now see how we can manage if there is an outbreak of the disease, how we can control it and prevent illness and death. So we are just hoping we will not reach that stage of an outbreak of dengue,” he said.
Scotland said that over the last three months, “we have been removing a lot of debris, old fridges, old stoves, old containers etc, which are creating conditions for mosquitoes and rats in our communities, and we intend to intensify that”.
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the Trinidad-based Caribbean Epidemiological Centre (CAREC) have advised regional countries to be prepared for a possible record year for dengue fever. Dominica has so far confirmed two cases of dengue fever.
Dengue is spread by the aedes aegypti mosquito that has previously bitten an infected person. The mosquito flourishes during rainy seasons but can breed in water-filled flower pots. Among the symptoms of dengue fever include headache, fever, exhaustion, sever muscle and joint pain, swollen glands and rash.Other signs of dengue fever include bleeding gums, severe pain behind the eyes, and red palms and soles.
A statement from the Ministry of Health said that an Integrated Management Strategy and Action Plan has been developed and a public campaign launched to prevent and control problems related to mosquitoes.
“In addition to increasing the number of inspection activities, a series of health education activities are organized to encourage and promote community participation in mosquito prevention and control work,” the release stated.
Get some mosquito fish, Gambusia.