As of Friday, September 7, the number of confirmed dengue fever cases had reached 103 so far this year, yet there still hasn’t been an official announcement as to whether or not the communicable disease has claimed any lives.
The continuous increase in the number of confirmed cases has sparked panic amongst local residents, many of whom remember the last dengue fever epidemic which struck the territory in 2001-2002, which affected 1778 locals and killed three people.
According to Department of Health officials, the current trend of increase is consistent with numbers associated with an epidemic, and the best way to prevent the spread of the disease is by protecting one’s self and controlling the mosquito population.
There is no vaccine for dengue fever, which is spread through the bite of an infected mosquito commonly found in the territory.
In response to the alarming increase in the number of confirmed cases, DOH medical director Dr. Ivan Tuliau has decided to promote awareness within the local community by offering power point presentations at different venues across the island including the Territorial Administration on Aging (TAOA) and the Tafuna High School campus.
All members of the community are invited to attend the informative sessions - the next of which will be held at Tafuna High School on Saturday, Sept. 15 - aimed at educating everyone about the disease and ways to prevent it.
The presentations are made possible through collaborative efforts between DOH, the Territorial Emergency Management Coordinating Office (TEMCO), and the Office of Samoan Affairs.
The best way to prevent the spread of the disease is by ridding our surroundings of the most common breeding ground for mosquitoes which are: tires, drums, buckets, old appliances, ice cream containers, folded plastic, tin cans, plastic, styrofoam, and plastic bags.
“If everyone does their part in getting rid of these things and anything else that can hold standing water, mosquito breeding will be limited and the spread of dengue fever will be drastically reduced,” Tuliau said.
Once again, DOH recommends following the 3Ds of
prevention:
1 – DRAIN standing water around the house that can 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.
Symptoms of dengue fever include fever, severe headaches, pains in the body and joints, nausea, vomiting, eye pain, and rash. Anyone experiencing these symptoms are encouraged to contact a physician immediately.
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. |
