Dengue Outbreak 2011 – Protect Yourself

From: St. Lucia Medical and Dental Association

The St. Lucia Medical and Dental Association would like to join the Ministry of Health in alerting the St. Lucian public to the Dengue outbreak which has been noted over the past several weeks. 

We are particularly concerned that without the assistance of the public, curbing this outbreak will be very difficult and we are therefore calling on the general public to follow the guidelines outlined by the Ministry of Health to curb the breeding of the mosquitoes which carry and spread this disease.  It is equally important to protect ourselves from being bitten, by using the appropriate clothing, insect repellants, and insecticides.

Symptoms of infection with the dengue virus typically include fever, headache, body aches, pain behind the eyes and joint pains but there may also be vomiting and diarrhea as well as cough and other respiratory symptoms.  If you suspect that you may have dengue, visit your doctor or nearest health centre or in cases where your symptoms are severe, the emergency room. 

Over the coming weeks the SLMDA along with the Ministry of Health will continue to work to sensitize and advise the public on issues around the outbreak of the dengue virus. The SLMDA urges the public to take the recommended precautions seriously to avoid worsening of an already serious situation.