Outbreak of dengue fever in Dominica warms ministry of health

The beginning of the rainy season throughout the Caribbean Region has seen an increase in the dengue transmission in other Caribbean Islands.

Dengue is an infectious disease caused by a virus transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito. You can get dengue fever if you are bitten by the mosquito which is carrying the virus.

Dengue fever is also called Break Bone Fever which can become a serious public health problem.

The Symptoms include high fever, intense headaches, severe joint and muscle pain, vomiting and a rash.

Sometimes some persons can present with the severe form of the disease known as Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever, in which there can be bleeding, under your skin, from your nose, gums, gut and damage to the liver. The bleeding can be massive causing Dengue Shock Syndrome, which can cause death.

To date there has been no reported severe case of the diseases in Dominica during this outbreak.

Persons presenting with signs or symptoms of dengue fever should seek immediate attention at the nearest health centre or contact their personal doctor.

The Ministry of Health advices the public to take precautionary measures to prevent the breeding of the aedes aegypti mosquito which carries the vector.

To prevent the spread of dengue fever, you must first prevent the breeding of its vector, the Aedes aegypti mosquito. It prefers to breed in clean, stagnant water, easily found in and around our homes.

You can get rid of the Aedes mosquito by frequently checking and removing stagnant water in your premises; by keeping your environment clean; covering all containers capable of holding water – (drums, cisterns, barrels and tanks); by keeping potted plants in wet soil and sand; by getting rid of all old tires. You may use them to landscape or grow vegetables.

You may protect yourself from mosquito bites by using a mosquito repellent and mosquito nets when sleeping.

The Ministry of Health has stepped up its activities in controlling the outbreak of dengue fever.

The General public is asked to remain calm and assist in fighting against the spread of dengue fever.