Dengue Fever is Dangerous v11

7/27/2019 Dengue Fever is Dangerous v11

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Dengue Fever is

Dangerous

Mosquitoes are more than Pests


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Why is the Threat of Dengue

Important to the BVI?

Dengue is important to us because it is a

serious illness; it is on the increase in the

Caribbean and in this territory. For the first

time the most deadly form of dengue

fever, Dengue Hemorrhagic Feverhas

been found to be in the territory.

Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever can causeDEATH.


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Dangerous Dengue is on the

Increase

Dengue is a dangerous illness, it can causemuch suffering, and in some cases death. Overthe past decade the Caribbean region has beenexperiencing increased cases of dengue.

In 1980 the Caribbean Epidemiology Centrereported 20 cases (people) with dengue fever.

By 1990 this had increased to 616; by 1995

increased to 5,087,and in 1998 to 5,794. To date more than 15,000 cases had been

reported in the Caribbean.


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What is Dengue Fever ?

Dengue Fever is an illness that results from

contracting the dengue virus from the bite of an

infectedAedes aegypti mosquito that is carrying

the virus. There are four types of dengue viruses. When a

person has had one type of dengue virus

infection once in his/her life, and later gets

infected with another type of dengue virus, thatperson is in danger of getting Dengue

Hemorrhagic Fever.This fever can kill.


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Signs and Symptoms ofDengue

Fever

Abrupt onset of high fever

Severe frontal headache

Pain behind the eyes which worsens with eye

movement

Muscle and joint pains

Loss of sense of taste and appetite

Measles-like rash over chest and upper limbs Nausea and vomiting


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Signs and Symptoms ofDengue

Hemorrhagic Fever

Symptoms similar to dengue fever plus:

Frequent vomiting with or without blood

Internal bleeding which can lead to shock

Difficulty in breathing.

This fever can be difficult to treat, and in some

cases even with the best medical care people die.

Do not wait, see a doctor immediately. It is crucialto quickly treat anyone with these complications


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How is Dengue Spread ?

Dengue is spread when the femaleAedes

aegypti mosquito bites an infected person,

it sucks up the blood with the virus and

passes this virus onto the next person shebites for more blood. In this way the

mosquito becomes a carrier of the dengue

virus. We call these carriers of diseaseand illness vectors


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How can we prevent Dengue from

spreading?

There is no vaccine to protect us from

Dengue.

We must, therefore, protect ourselves by

avoiding the infection. The only way of

becoming infected is through the bite of

the mosquito that is carrying the virus.


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We avoid dengue, when we can

avoid mosquito bitesTheAedes aegypti mosquito that carries the dengue virus,

likes to lay her eggs in water near or in our homes. Sheenjoys living near to humans, her convenient bloodsupply.

Anything that holds water can be a mosquito-breeding site.Therefore, the best way of protecting your family andcommunity from dengue fever is to destroy all the placesin which the mosquito can lay eggs, breed more youngmosquitoes, increase their number, and so spread

dengue to more persons when they bite them for theirblood. Here are some actions you can take to rid yourhome and community of mosquito breeding sites.


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Mosquito proof your Cistern

Screen Outlets (use 18 screening/mesh wire)

Screen Down spouts from the roof

Seal points of entry of pipe into cistern Place small fish in your cisterns for these

eat the mosquito larvae (wrigglers)


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Mosquito Proof Ground Level

Water Tanks

Ensure the cover fits tightly; this prevents

adult mosquitoes from entering and laying

eggs.

Repair broken manhole covers.

Plug overflow holes located under the

cover of Black Rotoplastic tanks.


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Prevent Mosquito Breeding in

Flower and Plant Pots

Change the water-pots holding your plantsor cut flowers at least once a week.

Drain flower pots flowerpots should have

holes for drainage Plants should ideally be grown in a mixture

of sand and water or...

Use damp soil instead of water for growingplants.

Keep the saucers of flower pots dry


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Prevent Mosquito Breeding inside

your House and Yard

Throw out the water in your draining pan underyour refrigerator at least once per week

Clean and scrub your dish drainers at least onceper week

Toilet flush tanks should be inspected andcleaned at least once per week and always kepttightly covered

Keep surroundings clean and get rid of

containers which may hold even the tiniestamount of water e.g. tins, old tires, old pans,bottles, etc.


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Actions to take

Punch holes in tins before disposal

Get rid of derelict vehicles

Ornamental pools and fountains should beregularly drained and scrubbed,

chlorinated, and/or stocked with guppies

(fish).

Swimming pools should be kept clean,

filtered, and in good condition.


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Community Actions

Community members can work together

to:

Keep the environment clean e.g. de-bush

empty lots

Keep gullies/ghuts and drains clean

Monitor and destroy any other mosquitobreeding places.


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Personal Protection

People can further protect themselves from mosquito bitesby using:

Mosquito coils

electric vapor mats

Mosquito repellent sprayed on skin

Screen windows and doors

sleep under mosquito proof bed nets

Close windows late evenings and early mornings

Wear protective clothing, such as long sleeve shirts, longpants, and thick (bobby) socks during day time. It is alsoadvisable to avoid wearing dark colours.


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Community & Government -

Partners in Dengue Prevention

Every government takes the responsibility for keeping public placesfree of garbage and junk that can become mosquito-breedingplaces. Your Government provides us with information on how wecan act to protect yourself, and assist us as much as possible.

But, no Department of Health, no government, can come into ourhomes and workplaces and stop mosquitoes from biting us. Only wecan do this. The government cannot stop the mosquito frombreeding in our flowerpots or debris left strewn in our yards. Only wecan do this.

If we are serious and determined, we can ensure that mosquitoes haveno place to breed more mosquitoes to bite us and give us dengue

fever.So Search and Destroy mosquito breeding places at home and work


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THANK YOUYoure welcome!

Documents

Dengue Fever is Dangerous v11