[ad_1]
Justa Encarnacion, the U.S. Virgin Islands health commissioner, said dengue cases are surging in some areas of the islands. Residents and visitors to the U.S. Virgin Islands are urged to take precautions to prevent dengue fever.
Encarnacion gave an update yesterday saying cases are surging in the St. Thomas and St. John regions.
“With 82 dengue cases reported in the region to date, we once again strongly urge residents to take immediate steps to prevent further spread of dengue,” Encarnacion said. “Remove standing water from around your home, repair window screens with holes or cracks, and use mosquito repellent when you go outside. These simple steps can greatly reduce the risk of dengue.”
Dr. Esther Ellis, District Epidemiologist for Health District 6, revealed that 63 of the reported cases were on St. Thomas, 18 on St. John and one on St. Croix.
“We realize that the number of infections on St. Croix underestimates our true dengue burden, and I encourage residents to get tested for dengue if they have symptoms,” Ellis said. “In addition, with recent heavy rains, standing water provides opportunities for mosquitoes to hatch and reproduce.”
– advertise –
Dengue fever is a viral infection that is transmitted to people by the Aedes aegypti mosquito. The disease is more common in tropical and subtropical climates. Most people who contract dengue fever do not develop symptoms. But for those who do develop symptoms, the most common symptoms are high fever, headache, body aches, nausea and rash.
Dr. Tai Hunte-Ceasar, chief medical officer for the Virginia Department of Health, also advised the public to seek medical attention immediately if they begin to experience symptoms of dengue, which can range from mild to life-threatening.
“If you have symptoms, it’s important to see your doctor and get tested to confirm whether you have dengue or another illness,” Hunter-Kaiser said. “That’s the only way we can accurately track dengue rates in our community.”
[ad_2]
Source link
