Yesterday, the Jamaican Ministry of Health reported that one child died due to dengue hemorrhagic fever.
[Dengue and it's more lethal form - dengue hemorrhagic fever, are viral diseases transmitted by the Aedes Aeygpti mosquito. Both forms mostly occur in tropical and sub-tropical regions).
According to article, "Dengue Fever" on MedicineNet.com, children under 10 years are more prone to dengue hemorrhagic fever - where the death rate in those with the disease can be as high as 30%. (Dengue is fatal in only 1% of cases)].
Director of Health Promotion and Protection in Ministry of Health, Dr. Eva Lewis-Fuller, revealed this morning, that the cause of the child's death has still not been confirmed.
However, she is reminding Jamaicans that dengue and it's more lethal form - dengue hemorrhagic fever, can be prevented by getting rid of all mosquito breeding sites and/or preventing being bitten by Aedes Aegypti mosquito.
Breeding sites include anywhere where stagnant water is stored. This includes old tires,cans and flower pot basins. These must be emptied so that the mosquitoes will not find places to breed.
There are also mosquito repellents that can be bought, over-the-counter, that you can spray or rub on yourself, to prevent being bitten.
Symptoms of Dengue
Symptoms of dengue include pain behind eyes, joint or bone pain, skin rash, nausea, skin bruising, severe stomach pains, difficulty breathing, frequent vomiting.
Cases of Dengue in Jamaica
So far, 120 cases of dengue and three (3) cases of dengue hemorrhagic fever have been reported in Jamaica.
(I would like to thank Marcos Teixeira de Freitasfor the use of his close-up picture of the Aedes Aegypti mosquito).
Gillian
Sources Include
1) Nationwide Radio, August 30-31,2010
2) Article, "Dengue Fever", MedicineNet.com, accessed August 31,2010.
