dengue outbreak jamaica 2007-08

8/12/2019 Dengue Outbreak Jamaica 2007-08

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Human Health - Dengue Outbreak Jamaica20072008


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Dengue (pronounced DENgee) fever is a painful, debilitating

mosquito-bourne disease.

Each year, there are an estimated 100 million cases worldwide.

Affecting most tropical areas, including the Caribbean (exceptCuba & Cayman).

It consists of 4 strains Denv 1-Denv 4, all 4 strains have affected

Jamaica ; a person can be affected 4 different times.

Denv 2 introduced in 2007-08 and became the predominant

serotype.


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Transmitted by the bite of an Aedes mosquito

infected with a dengue virus.

It cannot spread from one person to another.

Symptoms are:- Sudden fever, severe

Headaches, Pain behind the eyes, Severe joint

and muscle pain Etc.

Sometimes symptoms maybe mild and

mistaken for those of Flu.


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The Ministry of Health (MOH) reported 25 deaths and over

1,000 confirmed cases in the outbreak of 07-08.

The situation was made worse by cases of Leptospirosis and

Malaria during the outbreak.

The Outbreak happened after a time of heavy rain fall which

affected the Northern Caribbean.

It would not have helped that Jamaican Government asclassified Dengue as a Class 2 disease which means only reacts

when there is an outbreak.


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The Government responded with amedia campaign

Fogging was done in some of themost affected parishes

The government allocated moremoney to the health section


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No vaccine is available for this virus y moving the Disease to class one such as idsEstablishing its own Lab instead of depending onthe one in TrinidadCarrying out regular campaigns and foggingStop being reactive and being more proactive


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Using window and door screens

Using air conditioner to keep houses cool

Covering babies and infants with nets

Destroying unnecessary containers, such as

old tyres, jars and plastic containers


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Dengue can be controlled and eveneliminated

If we all do the necessary work and follow theguidelines

Are you following the guidelines to help

control/eliminate the disease?

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dengue outbreak jamaica 2007-08

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