Authorities advise public on precautions for dengue

Dengue: Just the sound of the word is enough to cause pain. Ask anyone who’s had it and they’ll tell you that the disease’s other name—breakbone fever—is an accurate description of how it feels. And while the current weather conditions make dengue in Belize more likely, some simple precautions can save a lot of trouble.

Jacqueline Godwin, Reporting
The rainy season has started and that means, in addition to the possibility of flooding, the standing water will also create the right breeding conditions for mosquitoes. More than just a nuisance, the aedes aegypti mosquito is a transmitter of dengue fever. Awareness has been heightened following increased incidents of dengue and dengue hemorrhagic cases in neighbouring countries

Dr. Paul Edwards, Manager, Central Health Region
“When we look at Honduras there have been five deaths related to dengue; almost two hundred and twenty-one confirmed cases, a little bit more than four thousand, five hundred cases in Honduras. And the situation is similar for other places like El Salvador, Nicaragua, Panama, and Guatemala.”

Although Belizeans should not be alarmed, they are being advised to take precautionary measures to prevent an outbreak of the disease. In Belize, forty-seven suspected cases have been reported, only one of which has been confirmed.

Dr. Paul Edwards
“But what has happened is very critical for us to share with the public that each of those forty-seven cases they have are been followed up. … We investigate that household, if there are any other individuals there who are presenting those signs and symptoms, we look at the yard and look at containers and that is how, that is the breeding site for these mosquitoes. “

Like these tyres used to block entry to a property, but which can easily collect and hold rain water.

Dr. Paul Edwards
“Those are the perfect breeding sites for the mosquitoes. What happens, the mosquito becomes an adult and if there is somebody who has a confirmed case of dengue, that mosquito then bites that person. About three to four days later, that mosquito bites somebody else and that mosquito then passes that virus onto that new person, so it’s critical for us then to eliminate that vector which is the mosquito.”

It takes between three and fifteen days for symptoms to develop, but once evidenced the patient experiences severe pain and discomfort.

Dr. Aisha Andrewin, Epidemiologist, CHR
“Any persons, especially at this time of the year that developed these symptoms, fever, rash, and severe pain, specifically headache and pain behind the eyes and pain in the joints should seek medical attention.”

Most cases are benign, but some patients can develop dengue hemorrhagic fever which is life threatening.

Dr. Aisha Andrewin
“The concept of prevention of the illness, that’s very, very important for us as a country. We do not want a dengue outbreak at this time.”

Dr. Paul Edwards
“Normally we would have a little bit less than ten cases, so we would say that dengue is an endemic in Belize. Two years ago we had six hundred and fifty two cases; that was an outbreak that was there in the western region. Last year we did not have any cases reported.”

According to the Regional Manager of the Central Health Region, Dr. Paul Edwards, they are awaiting confirmation results on seventeen of the reported cases from the northern district. As part of the preventative measures, the Ministry of Health has commenced on a daily schedule of spraying. In the first instance the insecticide used is effective up to six months.

Dr. Paul Edwards
“So just as the rainy season starts, we go out just after it starts raining, because we talk about the accumulation of fresh water. The spraying is done throughout the country.”

House inspections are also conducted to see that residents are also doing what they can to keep their surroundings clean.

Dr. Paul Edwards
“We talk about all the containers, the old tyres, the old cans, even the flowers pots that are around, for them not to be there to accumulate water from the rain.”

“For those individuals who have been confirmed with dengue it is essential for them to remain at home, for them to be in a house that is screened as best as possible, if they can use clothing, long sleeve or use insect repellent to avoid them getting bitten by a mosquito.”

Dr. Edwards says because it is the rainy season they expect more reports of dengue.

Dr. Paul Edwards
“But we need to ensure that the public helps us as well because there is a part that they play as well as a part that we play. And if they can help us in breaking down or not having those receptacles or container for the mosquito then we should anticipate that the numbers will remain small, which will be different as compared to the many other countries that are experiencing dengue outbreaks.”