Amid Dengue Fever Outbreak, Jamaica Faces Health Crisis
In the midst of a dengue fever outbreak sweeping across Jamaica, health experts are sounding the alarm about the dangers of this mosquito-borne illness. On Saturday, Jamaica’s Ministry of Health & Wellness officially declared the outbreak, with a total of 565 suspected, presumed, and confirmed cases of dengue. The majority of the confirmed cases have been reported in Kingston, Saint Andrew, Saint Catherine, and Saint Thomas. While six deaths are currently under investigation, they have not yet been confirmed as dengue-related.
Understanding Dengue Fever
Dengue fever is caused by one of four different types of dengue viruses, according to Mayo Clinic. This infectious disease is transmitted solely through mosquito bites and cannot be spread directly from person to person. However, women who are infected with dengue during pregnancy can pass the virus to their babies during childbirth.
It is crucial for those who experience symptoms and have recently been in an area where dengue fever is prevalent to seek immediate medical attention, as severe effects can develop rapidly. In rare cases, dengue fever can also be transmitted through organ transplant, blood transfusion, or needle stick injury.
Dengue fever is primarily concentrated in tropical and subtropical regions, with Latin America, Southeast Asia, the Western Pacific Islands, and Africa being the most affected areas. Nonetheless, the disease has started to emerge in parts of Europe and the southern United States. The only way to confirm a dengue fever diagnosis is through a blood test.
The Global Impact of Dengue Fever
Dengue fever is a significant global health concern, with up to 400 million people infected worldwide each year. Of these cases, approximately 100 million people experience illness, and 40,000 die from severe complications. Dengue fever typically presents as flu-like symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, body aches, and high fever. However, about one in 20 individuals will develop a more severe form called dengue hemorrhagic fever.
Severe dengue can result in symptoms such as belly pain, frequent vomiting, bleeding from the nose or gums, fatigue, irritability, restlessness, and blood in vomit or stool. Some cases may even lead to serious bleeding, a sudden drop in blood pressure, and organ damage, which can be fatal.
“On occasions, the illness can progress to severe dengue, which can result in organ failure as well as bleeding (hemorrhage), and severe fluid depletion that can lead to shock and death,” warns Dr. Jacquiline Bisasor McKenzie, Chief Medical Officer of Jamaica’s Ministry of Health & Wellness.
Preventing Dengue Fever
People infected with dengue fever develop long-term immunity to the specific virus that initially caused the infection. However, they remain susceptible to the other three types of dengue viruses. Individuals who have previously had dengue fever are at a higher risk of experiencing severe symptoms if they become infected again.
While a vaccine called Dengvaxia is available for individuals between the ages of 9 and 45 who have previously been infected, it has been shown to increase the risk of severe symptoms and hospitalization for those who haven’t had dengue fever before.
In areas where dengue fever is prevalent, the best course of action is to protect against mosquito bites. Mayo Clinic recommends the following prevention tips:
- Stay in air-conditioned or well-screened housing, particularly from dawn to dusk when mosquitoes are most active.
- Wear protective clothing, including long-sleeved shirts, long pants, socks, and shoes.
- Apply mosquito repellent to exposed skin. DEET-containing repellents are highly recommended.
- Reduce mosquito habitat by regularly emptying and cleaning containers that hold standing water.
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Melissa Rudy is the Health Editor and a member of the Lifestyle Team at Fox News Digital.
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