Dengue cases still climbing
Published:Friday | August 27, 2010 | 12:00 AM
Nadisha Hunter, Gleaner Writer
Cases of dengue fever continue to increase in the island, with the Type-2 strain of the disease currently circulating.
The Ministry of Health disclosed yesterday that 111 cases of dengue fever have been confirmed, up from the 104 reported two weeks ago.
The number of cases of dengue haemorrhagic fever, the more severe form of the disease, has not yet been confirmed, as the ministry continues its investigations.
There are four types of the illness, all of which present the same symptoms. Persons can, however, develop immunity for each type of dengue contracted. This means that individuals can get dengue fever up to four times.
Dr Marion Bullock-DuCasse, director, emergency, disaster management and special services in the Ministry of Health, said Jamaica continues to experience an increase in cases of the illness and urged persons to visit their nearest health centre or doctor if they develop signs of the disease.
"Those most susceptible to having dengue haemorrhagic fever are persons who have contracted dengue fever at least once before," Bullock-Ducasse said.
In addition to the symptoms of dengue fever, she added that dengue haemorrhagic fever usually presents with skin bruising, bleeding from the nose, mouth or gums, severe and continuous stomach pains, pale, cold and clammy skin, difficulty breathing, fainting and frequent vomiting.
"It is important that persons who believe they may have these symptoms go to the nearest hospital immediately so that treatment can be initiated right away," she stressed. "Dengue haemorrhagic fever can lead to death, so it is important that we treat persons from an early stage."
Dengue is an infection caused by a virus spread by the bite of an infected Aedes aegypti mosquito. This mosquito will breed in any container where water is allowed to settle. These containers are often found in and around the home, school and workplace and include vases, tins, tyres, drums, plastic bags and coconut shells.
The ministry continues to appeal to persons to follow the guidelines to eliminate the breeding sites for mosquitoes.
It added that, as much as possible, persons should avoid being bitten by mosquitoes by using insect repellent, mosquito nets, mosquito destroyers or putting screens on windows and doors.