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Dengue Fever warning for Port Vila
Monday, 15 February, 2010
Local Health Ministry has this warned of a possible upswing in dengue cases in and around Port Vila. Since the beginning of January 2010, suspected cases of dengue have been reported in Vanuatu which could indicate that a larger outbreak is imminent. Physicians in Vila Central Hospital have confirmed several cases of dengue fever. The Ministry of Health had sent their blood samples to the Pasteur Institute in Noumea for virus isolation and serotyping to confirm the type of dengue virus.
The last outbreak of dengue fever in Vanuatu occurred between October 2008 and March 2009 in which 136 cases were confirmed. For the remaining period of 2009 only 3 suspected cases were reported in Port Vila.
A response team was deployed this week to conduct case investigation as soon as the residences of suspected dengue patients were located. The team also conducted focal Indoor Residual Spraying targeting the residence of the individuals suspected with dengue.
Dengue fever is caused by a virus which has 4 sub-types and is not thought to be endemic in Vanuatu. The virus is spread by the Aedes aegypti mosquito which bites during the day, with increased biting activity for 2 hours after sunrise and several hours before sunset. The symptoms are sudden onset fever, intense headache, body aches and pains, joint pains, pain behind the eyes, loss of appetite, bowel disturbances and rash. They can easily be mistaken for other diseases which cause acute febrile disease.
Dengue haemorrhagic fever and dengue shock syndrome (DSS) are severe forms of the disease which may be fatal due to extensive bleeding in the body. This is recognized principally in young children. Parents should be warned to observe the early symptoms of dengue fever. If their children suffer from a high fever, headache, vomiting or bloody stools, they should seek hospitalization without delay. Prolonged self-medication, including consuming an overdose of anti-fever medication or similar, may cause complications for subsequent hospital treatment. Use of pain killers – including Asprin – should be avoided.
The Ministry of Health will continue to monitor the situation and provide regular updates on the dengue situation.
