Dengue fever cases reach 63,
outreach programs in the works

The local Department of Health and its epidemiology team are spearheading efforts to combat the spread of dengue fever, a potentially fatal communicable disease that has infected a total of 63 locals this year, as of July 17.

Of that number, 23 people, (15 adults and 8 children), were hospitalized, while the other 40 were treated on an outpatient basis.

Fortunately, despite the high number of confirmed cases, not a single person has died from dengue fever.

The majority of the victims, 39 to be exact, are from the Western District (mostly from the Tafuna and Nuuuli areas) while the other 24 are from the Eastern District.

The increase in the number of confirmed cases has sparked DOH to come together with the ASCC Land Grant program and the Office of Samoan Affairs in coordinating ways to conduct outreach programs throughout the different villages, in addition to passing out fliers containing important information about the disease (i.e. how is spreads and how to prevent being at risk).

The growing number of cases has launched an island-wide awareness alert and in response, free fliers and pamphlets have been distributed as inserts in the Samoa News.

The last time a dengue fever epidemic struck the territory was 2001 and 2002 when a total of 1778 cases were reported.

Three lives were lost to the disease in 2001.

The combined number of confirmed cases between 2003 and 2006 was only 3.

DOH medical director Dr. Ivan Tuliau says that considering the recent number of cases, dengue fever can be considered an epidemic. And although there is no vaccine available, there are preventive measures that can be taken to protect everyone from getting the disease.

The Department of Health once again recommends following the 3D’s of Dengue Prevention to protect one’s self and their families:

1 – DRAIN standing water around the house that may serve as mosquito breeding sites, including tires, drums, buckets, old appliances, and ice cream containers that can hold standing water.

2 – DRESS protectively by wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants, sock, and shoes.

3 – DEET – Use a mosquito repellent containing “DEET”
on exposed skin.

Dengue fever is a potentially fatal communicable disease that is carried through the bite of an infected mosquito, meaning that everyone is at risk of getting the disease. Symptoms include: fever, severe headaches, pains in the body and joints, nausea, vomiting, eye pain, and rash.

As recent as 2005, the Centers for Disease Control
(CDC) reported the dengue fever was the most important mosquito-borne viral disease affecting humans, and its global distribution is comparable to that of malaria, as an estimated 2.5 billion people live in areas at risk for epidemic transmission.

More information about dengue fever or other communicable diseases can be obtained by calling the DOH Communicable Disease Program at 633-4627 or 633-4606.

Here is a look at the pamphlet prepared by the local DOH in collaboration with other agencies to keep the public informed on the causes and ways to prevent dengue fever.