Epidemiologist Dr Maung Aung issues a stern warning to individuals with underlying conditions like diabetes and hypertension concerning dengue. He emphasises that contracting dengue alongside such illnesses can exacerbate the situation. Furthermore, he stresses the importance of Jamaicans taking the dengue outbreak more seriously.

J’cans not taking dengue seriously enough, says epidemiologist

Jamaica Gleaner/10 Oct 2023/Christopher Thomas/Gleaner Writer 

EPIDEMIOLOGIST DR Maung Aung has expressed concern about the apparent carefree or indifferent attitude citizens have been shown regarding dengue fever despite warnings that the island was experiencing an outbreak of the disease.

Addressing a public lecture on dengue fever at the Northern Caribbean University’s western Jamaica campus in Montego Bay, St James, yesterday, Aung stressed that it is crucial for individuals to take personal responsibility for preventing dengue fever’s spread and seek medical attention if they develop symptoms, especially if they have pre-existing medical conditions.

“We did a study in 2016 about the knowledge, attitudes and practices of St James, Hanover, Westmoreland and Trelawny about dengue fever. Forty-five per cent of people we surveyed correctly identified mosquitoes as causing dengue fever, but only 16 per cent of respondents reported taking any measures, so they are not necessarily taking care of themselves for dengue fever, as it is not a priority at this point in time. When it comes to attitude, only 47 per cent thought that dengue is serious,” said Aung.

“One in two Jamaicans is obese or overweight, one in three Jamaicans has hypertension, and one in eight Jamaicans has diabetes. The reason I am telling you this is that dengue fever is going to impact on those diseases,” Aung added.

“You have a responsibility to destroy your breeding sites in and around your home, and if you have to take community action, take community action,” he added. “If you are hypertensive or diabetic, please make sure that you take care of those pre-existing conditions, because those conditions can get worse if you have dengue fever.”

Last month, the Ministry of Health & Wellness declared that Jamaica is experiencing an outbreak of dengue fever. Up to September 22, Jamaica recorded 565 suspected, presumed and confirmed cases of dengue, with 78 cases deemed as confirmed.

Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne disease in which a person may get a fever, headache, joint and muscle pains. Rest and adequate hydration are usually recommended during the period of illness with acetaminophen/paracetamol being advised as treatment.

Aung pointed to data from the Pan-American Health Organization showing that over three million new dengue infections have been recorded in the Americas up to July this year, compared to 3.1 million cases in 2019, as an extra reason for citizens to take the current outbreak seriously.

“We have not even finished 2023 yet, and we have seen a number of cases higher than 2019, so it is going to be fullblown. Most Jamaicans are not taking it seriously about dengue fever or mosquitobreeding sites, and 2019 was the worst, and it is going to get worse than 2019,” Aung lamented. “You may have dengue fever right now, but if you do not know the warning signs, that is why you are going to end up in the hospital.”

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