Dengue fever

Dengue is a mosquito- borne infection, found in tropical and sub-tropical regions, predominating in urban and semi-urban areas. There are 4 distinct, but closely related Viruses that cause Dengue and good evidence that sequential infection increase the risk of Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever.

Dengue viruses are transmitted to humans through the bites of infected female Aedes mosquitoes that acquire the virus while feeding on the blood of an infected person. An infected mosquito is capable of transmitting the virus for the rest of its life.

Symptoms of Dengue Fever vary according to the age of the patient. Infants and young children may have a non-specific fever with a rash. Older children and adults may suffer either a mild fever or the classical incapacitating disease with abrupt onset and high fever as high as 40ºC- 41º C (104º F – 105.8 ºF), severe headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pains and rash. Dengue hemorrhagic Fever is a potentially deadly complication. 

At present, the only method to combat Dengue Fever is to eliminate the vector mosquito or to protect oneself from being bitten. Mosquito abatement programs may be implemented using environmental or chemical methods. Also improved water storage practices, including covering containers or by adding small mosquito eating fish. Personal protection is very important like wearing protective clothing, using mosquito repellent or mosquito netting.

P.S. CMIS spray for killing mosquitoes once a month on Saturday.