The Collective Preventive Services (CPS), a health authority body linked to the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labour, reported thus far no confirmed dengue cases have been reported.
However, there are a few suspected dengue cases. Suspected indicates that the reported cases even though all the symptoms are present the person didn’t go to the lab for confirmation, indicating that the case was clinically diagnosed.
Sint Maarten as of December 2010, has registered 173 confirmed cases of dengue in comparison to 2009 with 25 confirmed dengue cases.
The CPS continues to urge the community to be vigilant in implementing preventative measures to remove or eliminate mosquito breeding sites/places, which should decrease the mosquito population and therefore eliminate the risk of a possible dengue outbreak.
Decreasing the mosquito population calls for a combination of two strategies, firstly, the removal of breeding places and fogging. However, considering the environment and the life cycle of the mosquito (aedes aegypti), emphasis is being placed on the strategy of eliminating mosquito breeding places. Based on the fact that the breeding places is the source where the larvae breeds and stays until they are an adult.
CPS continues to emphasize that home and business owners should check around their properties right after a rain shower and take immediate measures.
Dengue fever is caused by a virus, transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected aedes aegypti mosquito. Dengue symptoms include high fever, severe headache, backache, joint and eye pain, nausea and vomiting, and a possible rash.
Once a person has developed a fever, the infectious period lasts for about a week. Most people recover without any complications, using pain relievers (that contain no aspirin) and bed rest. If a person was diagnosed with dengue fever this person is more at risk for dengue hemorrhagic fever.
Contractors on job sites are advised to take immediate steps by checking around the work site for containers and other items that could hold water. Check around for any stagnant water in yards that could become a breeding ground for mosquitoes.
CPS strongly recommends that vacant lots owned by individuals should be maintained and monitored for mosquito breeding. Overgrown vegetation should be cut away. If a mosquito breeding site is discovered, it should be destroyed.
Residents are therefore strongly advised to take action making sure that there is no stagnant water in their yards and roof spouts; and disposing responsibly old tires, empty drums, buckets, jars, birdbaths, boats, plant containers, paint cans and other items that can collect water around their homes and businesses. Wear appropriate clothing and mosquito repellent.