Commissioner of Public Health Maria Buncamper-Molanus is encouraged with the decrease in confirmed dengue cases but stressed to the general public to remain vigilant in helping to eradicate mosquito breeding.
For the month of January 14 suspected dengue cases were admitted to the hospital
from the 14 cases 6 were confirmed. "We are presently awaiting feedback from our French colleagues for collective consensus on the change in numbers," the Commissioner said.
Nevertheless, she continued, the decrease in cases is in part a direct result of government’s awareness campaign, hands-on action by Sector Health Care and good response from the community at large.
"Even with this decrease the house to house inspections will continue and awareness information where persons are reminded about their contribution to eradicating mosquito breeding places will be stressed. Don’t forget to go to your physicians for diagnosis and to the lab for confirmation," the Commissioner said.
She continued: "We sometimes have a mindset that something can’t happen to me, but that’s dangerous frame of mind when it pertains to mosquitoes here in the tropics. We know for a fact that still lying water will attract mosquitoes, and therefore have the risk of a typical dengue breeding ground. We need to be much more vigilant as a community," the Commissioner said.
Fever and other signs of dengue last for two to four days, followed by rapid drop in temperature with profuse sweating. This precedes a period with normal temperature and a sense of well-being that lasts about a day. A second rapid rise in temperature follows. A characteristic rash appears along with the fever and spreads from the extremities to cover the entire body except the face. The palms and soles may be bright red and swollen.