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More than 16.000 Cases of Dengue
Reported
As of last Friday (August 26),
the Ministerio de Salud reported
16.211 cases of Dengue and 26
cases of Hemorrhagic dengue.
In the last week alon 621 new
cases were reported, a situation
that is worrying health
officials, confirmed Ministra de
Salud, María del Rocío Sáenz
Madrigal.
Of the 26 cases of hemorrhagic
dengue, 16 are in the Central
Pacific region (Quepos, Manuel
Antonio, Jacó beach and
Puntarenas), 4 in the Atlantic,
2 in Chorotega and 2 in Huetar
Norte.
Minister Sáenz says that were
are still in the red as far as
the number of cases and have not
seen a decrease and this is
worrying health officials who
feel that their campaign to
combat Dengue has not been very
effective.
Sáenz added that she is in
favour of a proposal by
legislative deputy, Carlos
Avendaño, who is seeking an
amendment to the law that would
increase the fine to those who
allow the mosquito Aedes aegypti
to breed in their homes or
property.
Dengue [DEN-ghee] is a flu-like
viral disease spread by the bite
of infected mosquitoes. Dengue
hemorrhagic fever is a severe,
often fatal, complication of
dengue. Dengue occurs in most
tropical areas of the world.
There is no specific treatment
for dengue.
Prevention centers on avoiding
mosquito bites in areas where
dengue occurs or might occur and
eliminating breeding sites.
Dengue is spread by the bite of
an Aedes aegypti mosquito. The
mosquito transmits the disease
by biting an infected person and
then biting someone else. The
mosquitoes that transmit dengue
live among humans and breed in
discarded tires, flower pots,
old oil drums, and water storage
containers close to human
dwellings. Unlike the mosquitoes
that cause malaria, dengue
mosquitoes bite during the day.
What are the signs and symptoms
of dengue fever and dengue
hemorrhagic fever?
Dengue fever usually starts
suddenly with a high fever,
rash, severe headache, pain
behind the eyes, and muscle and
joint pain. The severity of the
joint pain has given dengue the
name "breakbone fever." Nausea,
vomiting, and loss of appetite
are common. A rash usually
appears 3 to 4 days after the
start of the fever. The illness
can last up to 10 days, but
complete recovery can take as
long as a month. Older children
and adults are usually sicker
than young children.
Most dengue infections result in
relatively mild illness, but
some can progress to dengue
hemorrhagic fever. With dengue
hemorrhagic fever, the blood
vessels start to leak and cause
bleeding from the nose, mouth,
and gums. Bruising can be a sign
of bleeding inside the body.
Without prompt treatment, the
blood vessels can collapse,
causing shock (dengue shock
syndrome). Dengue hemorrhagic
fever is fatal in about 5
percent of cases, mostly among
children and young adults.
How is dengue diagnosed?
Dengue is diagnosed by a
blood test.
Who is at risk for dengue?
Anyone who is bitten by an
infected mosquito can get dengue
fever. Risk factors for dengue
hemorrhagic fever include a
person's age and immune status,
as well as the type of infecting
virus. Persons who were
previously infected with one or
more types of dengue virus are
thought to be at greater risk
for developing dengue
hemorrhagic fever if infected
again.
What is the treatment for
dengue and dengue hemorrhagic
fever?
There is no specific
treatment for dengue. Persons
with dengue fever should rest
and drink plenty of fluids. They
should be kept away from
mosquitoes for the protection of
others. Dengue hemorrhagic fever
is treated by replacing lost
fluids. Some patients need
transfusions to control
bleeding.
How common is dengue?
In tropical countries around
the world, dengue is one of the
most common viral diseases
spread to humans by mosquitoes.
Tens of millions of cases of
dengue fever and up to hundreds
of thousands of cases of dengue
hemorrhagic fever occur each
year.
How can dengue be prevented?
There is no vaccine to
prevent dengue. Prevention
centers on avoiding mosquito
bites when traveling to areas
where dengue occurs. Eliminating
mosquito breeding sites in these
areas is another key prevention
measure.
Avoid mosquito bites when
traveling in tropical areas:
- Use mosquito repellents on
skin and clothing
- When outdoors during times
that mosquitoes are biting, wear
long-sleeved shirts and long
pants tucked into socks
- Avoid heavily populated
residential areas
- When indoors, stay in
air-conditioned or screened
areas. Use bednets if sleeping
areas are not screened or
air-conditioned
- If you have symptoms of
dengue, report your travel
history to your doctor
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