MINISTRY OF HEALTH REPORTS DENGUE CASES IN THE COUNTRY

October 26, 2007

The Ministry of Health has reported eighty confirmed cases of classical dengue.  Fifty five of the cases are from the Corozal District and nineteen are from Belize City, five from the Stan Creek district and one from the Cayo district.  Of these there has only ben one confirmed case of dengue hemorrhagic fever to date in the Corozal district.  The Ministry of Health reports that they have is addressing the increased number of cases seen recently in Belize with insecticides spraying and treatment of mosquitoes breeding sites.  Additional activities that should be done by family members and the community to prevent Dengue include: washing water storage containers such as drums at least once a week, changing the water in flower pots every 4 or 5 days, avoid having containers that can collect water in your yard such as empty cans, tires, and keep vats, drums, buckets and all other containers that can collect water properly covered. These are ideal breeding sites for the mosquito that transmits Dengue. With the elimination of breeding sites in and around the yard, Dengue can be avoided. The public is also encouraged to use mosquito repellent spray or lotion on the body or clothing, and to stay in well-screened areas. Dengue Fever is a disease that must be taken very seriously, in particular if you have had these symptoms in the past, and every effort should be made to keep yourself, your family and your community safe by maintaining a clean environment.  Dengue, also known as “Break-bone Fever”, is an infectious disease that is transmitted by the bite of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, which breed in fresh water stored in natural or artificial containers in and around human dwellings, such as old tires, flowerpots, water storage containers. This day-biting species is most active in early morning and late afternoon. Dengue Fever begins with sudden onset of high fever (104 to 105 degrees Fahrenheit), and other signs and symptoms include: chills, severe headache, back pain, muscle pain, joint pain, swollen lymph nodes, nausea, vomiting, eye pain, rash, and general weakness. The haemorrhagic form of Dengue Fever is more severe and associated with loss of appetite, vomiting, high fever, headache and abdominal pain. Shock and circulatory failure may occur. Untreated haemorrhagic Dengue Fever results in death in up 50% of cases. If a person who was infected with Dengue in the past is infected a second time, the potential is increased for Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever to develop.

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