Why Is Dengue Important To You

Dengue is a serious viral disease transmitted by the bite of the Aedes aegypti mosquito. It occurs in two forms, Dengue Fever and Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever. The disease tends to spread rapidly, affecting many people during outbreaks, resulting in reduce work productivity but most importantly it can cause loss of life.

Persons suspected of having dengue fever must see a doctor at once. As Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever is a deadly disease, early diagnosis and treatment can save lives. Unless proper treatment is given promptly, the patient may go into shock and die.

The characteristics of Dengue Fever / Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever are
• Abrupt onset of high fever.
• Severe frontal headaches.
• Pain behind the eyes which worsens with eye movement.
• Muscle and joint pains.
• Loss of sense of taste and appetite.
• Measles-like rash over chest and upper limbs.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Severe and continuous stomach pains.
• Bleeding from nose, mouth, gums and skin bruising.

Any onset of the above sign and symptoms do not wait; see a doctor immediately as it is crucial to get treatment urgently.

Intermittent Rainfall And Householders Responsibility

The Environmental Health Unit would like to inform the general public that they will be initiating their mosquito reduction plan of oiling and treating swamps, drains and cemeteries after periods of heavy intermittent rainfall to control the proliferation mosquitoes and their breeding. Vector Control Officers would also like to remind householders that fogging only kills the adult mosquitoes and householders are urged to eliminate all breeding sites from in and around their homes.

To prevent the breeding of mosquitoes, householders should; a) ensure that there are no stagnant water areas in or around their premises, b) turn over or get rid of unwanted buckets, tins, bottles, drums and c) screen and put fish in their cisterns. These simple measures will go a long way in preventing mosquito bites and mosquito borne diseases transmission.