Human Health - Dengue Outbreak Jamaica

2007 2008
Dengue (pronounced DENgee) fever is a painful, debilitating
mosquito-bourne disease.
Each year, there are an estimated 100 million cases worldwide.
Affecting most tropical areas, including the Caribbean (except
Cuba & Cayman).
It consists of 4 strains Denv 1-Denv 4, all 4 strains have affected
Jamaica ; a person can be affected 4 different times.
Denv 2 introduced in 2007-08 and became the predominant
serotype.
Transmitted by the bite of an Aedes mosquito
infected with a dengue virus.
It cannot spread from one person to another.
Symptoms are:- Sudden fever, severe
Headaches, Pain behind the eyes, Severe joint
and muscle pain Etc.
Sometimes symptoms maybe mild and
mistaken for those of Flu.
The Ministry of Health (MOH) reported 25 deaths and over
1,000 confirmed cases in the outbreak of 07-08.
The situation was made worse by cases of Leptospirosis and
Malaria during the outbreak.
The Outbreak happened after a time of heavy rain fall which
affected the Northern Caribbean.
It would not have helped that Jamaican Government as
classified Dengue as a Class 2 disease which means only reacts
when there is an outbreak.
The Government responded with a
media campaign
Fogging was done in some of the
most affected parishes
The government allocated more
money to the health section
No vaccine is available for this virus
By moving the Disease to class one such as Aids
Establishing its own Lab instead of depending on
the one in Trinidad
Carrying out regular campaigns and fogging
Stop being reactive and being more proactive
Using window and door screens
Using air conditioner to keep houses cool
Covering babies and infants with nets
Destroying unnecessary containers, such as
old tyres, jars and plastic containers
Dengue can be controlled and even
eliminated
If we all do the necessary work and follow the
guidelines
Are you following the guidelines to help
control/eliminate the disease?
Question