Health officials are reporting an outbreak of dengue fever in Dominica.
According to statistics from the Chief Medical Officer, Dr. David Johnson, the number of admissions and hospitalization associated with the disease has been climbing since the start of September 2019.
In an interview with the State-Owned DBS Radio, Johnson explained that people presenting with the mosquito-borne disease range between the ages of one and twenty years.
He said while there have been five cases that required intensive care, no one has died.
“We have had a number of admissions and most of our cases who have made it to the hospital are between the ages of 1 year to 20 years. At least five persons were admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) but as I keep stressing there is absolutely no deaths,” he said.
Johnson said the Ministry of Health wants to ensure that no one dies as a result of the disease.
“We want to keep it that way to ensure that none of our patients who get affected by the dengue fever would succumb,” he said.
Dengue is a flu-like illness that affects infants, young children and adults. Symptoms typically begin four to ten days after infection, and include a high fever, headache, vomiting, muscle and joint pains, and a characteristic skin rash.
This illness can evolve to severe dengue, characterized by potentially deadly complications, such as internal haemorrhaging, intense and continuous abdominal pain or tenderness and persistent vomiting. In some cases, Dengue may be severe and cause death.
Anyone presenting with some or all the symptoms are asked to seek immediate medical attention.
Dengue remains a global health problem and like Zika and Chikungunya, there is no specific treatment for the disease.
The Aedes aegypti mosquito vector, which spreads Dengue, is present in all Caribbean territories.
The measures used for controlling the spread of Dengue are the same as those for Zika and Chikungunya as these diseases are also transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito.
The most effective way to avoid becoming ill from viruses spread by mosquitoes is to prevent mosquito bites.
Research carried out by CARPHA and the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) show that drums and tires are the main mosquito breeding sources in our countries.
Many health organizations suggest the following to protect yourself from dengue:
- Wear long-sleeve shirts and long pants.
- Treat clothes with repellents like permethrin.
- Use mosquito repellent.
- Consider using mosquito netting if you will be in an area with many mosquitoes.
- Make sure windows and doors screens are closed to avoid allowing mosquitoes into enclosed spaces.
- Avoid areas with standing water.
- Ensure that there is no stagnant water in your home
- Cover all stored water especially in drums
Where is the fogging operations to kill the adult mosquitoes? Clean the abandoned lots and abandoned houses still without roofs after Maria. Dengue cases rising? You are happy about that?
Waiting first for several death before action is taken. This government has not got a clue!
Guys use Reddy mosquito soap to prevent mosquitoes from bitting you. Available island wide manufactured in Dominica by DCP Successors Ltd
Only now you guys are reporting out break .
at the beginning of October when I received information that there were already 40 hospital admissions , I said it was an outbreak, and that authorities concerned should make a public announcement enlightening citizens of those dangers, with advice of how to help prevent further spreading , but as with everything Government related ,” better late than never ”. we will soon hear its the diasporans who brought it .
Mr CMO, Terry Johnson, are you expressing satisfaction that there has been no deaths or are you waiting for Deaths before you address the issue? These diseases (Dengue, Zika and Chikungunya) are all borne by a single vector, the Aedes aegypti mosquito. Mr Johnson sits in his arm chair delightfully rubbing his hands and claiming that the numbers of dengue infestation has been steadily rising since the beginning of September 2019 but no body has died!! The question is are you waiting for people to start dying? What are you doing about the prevention of deaths?
Coming through this festive period where there is an influx of people into Dominica carrying in addition to their suitcases and bags, diseases etc, I submit that it will not be long before people start dying.
Terry could say the same thing but use the rising number of dengue inoculations for a call to action, at least one day should be set aside to disrupt mosquito breeding grounds, community clean up, this would be…