Health officials recommend precaution against the threat of dengue fever
|
|
|
Contact: Adhara King
Wednesday, October 8, 2008 – Government health officials have embarked on a renewed thrust to sensitize Saint Lucians about the ever-present threat of dengue fever.
The potentially fatal disease, characterized by severely high fevers, is carried by the Aedes Aegypti mosquito has produced significant outbreaks on the island in the past.
As such officials of the Ministry of Health are engaging the public in efforts to combat a resurgence.
Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Josiah Rambally said, “Dengue is an illness that can be fatal, and basically there is not a magic cure that you give for dengue, but you have to treat it symptomatically, i.e. giving medicine for the fever, drink plenty of fluid etc. But once you have a fever, and you are not sure where that fever is coming from or whether you think you know where the fever is coming from you should check with your health provider.”
Last year, Dr. Rambally said, there were 52 confirmed cases of dengue fever, and the number for this year currently stands at 23. Additionally, there are currently over 70 suspected cases that have not been diagnosed.
Chief Environmental Health Officer, Wenn Gabriel advised on the peculiarities of the Aedaes Aegypti mosquito: “One of the things about the dengue fever mosquito is that it's a mosquito that lives in and around the household. Infact it is referred to as a domesticated mosquito because it likes the area of the household. Also it lays its eggs not in dirty water, but in clear, fresh, stagnant water. So you see immediately, the householder can play a significant role in terms of eliminating these breeding areas.”
The preferred and most effective plan of attack, Gabriel said, is to eliminate the mosquito during its aquatic stage, as it is more costly and risky to tackle the vector once it becomes an adult. Pesticides, he added, are used as a last resort, and as such community participation is essential in the fight. |
|
© 2008 Government Information Service. All rights reserved. Read our privacy guidelines. |
