DENGUE FEVER OUTBREAK

We are always battling the cockroaches, ants, FROGS, geckos, centipedes....But now we have an outbreak of Dengue Fever here.   4600 cases have been reported so far and the MOH believes another 3000 suspected cases are not reported.  There have been 2 deaths.  The spread of dengue can only be stopped if the breeding places of these mosquitoes are destroyed.   Dengue is a tropical and subtropical disease that has been increasing in countries with these climates because of rain.
   Water sanitation is a big challenge here.  Water drainage, garbage disposal are challenges.  If your grandchildren want to work in third world countries they should all be engineers specializing in water sanitation!!!!!

Dengue Information

According to Ministry of Health, Dengue fever is still a huge issue so please be extra careful.

People get dengue virus infections from the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito. Mosquitoes become infected when they bite infected humans, and later transmit infection to other people they bite. The main species of mosquito, Aedes aegypti once infected remains infective for life. Dengue is not contagious from person to person.

Typical Signs & Symptoms:

once an individual contracts dengue, the person manifests symptoms of the disease four to ten days later

fever (sudden onset)

intense headache (especially behind the eyes)

muscle and joint pains  ( I have muscle and joint pains everyday!!!!!)

flushed skin or rashes on the arms and legs

Symptoms of dengue hemorrhagic fever include all of the symptoms of classic dengue plus

Marked damage to blood and lymph vessels

Bleeding from the nose, gums, or under the skin, causing purplish bruises

Prevention:

maintaining clean and hygienic surroundings

keeping the grass trimmed  

discarding all water retaining receptacles and tyres that are in and around the house, capable of collecting water.

ensure good drainage of water on the roof guttering of the house and also for any pools of water within the residential compound or nearby

Mosquito repellants

Keeping unscreened windows and doors closed/using mosquito nets for sleeping