Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) Chairman David Armogan has reported a semi-outbreak of dengue in the region.
On Friday the health department in the region had reported 107 cases, with 24 new cases being reported for Thursday.
According to the Chairman, the cases are spread across the region.
He explained that fogging exercises have commenced throughout the region. Fogging is being done to kill mosquitoes which may potentially be carrying the virus.
Dengue fever is an infection caused by one of four dengue viruses. They are related to each other, but they are not exactly the same. Getting sick from one dengue virus does not protect an individual from getting the others. A person can get dengue fever more than once. Dengue fever is spread by mosquitoes that carry dengue viruses.
Fogging exercise being carried out in Berbice
People who live in areas where these mosquitoes are common have the highest risk of infection.
“Dengue can be dangerous; it should not be taken at face value because a few persons would have died with dengue,” the Regional Chairman pointed out.
Tests for dengue are being conducted at the four hospitals in the region. The Chairman is encouraging persons who may display symptoms to get tested.
The symptoms would usually last between five to seven days. Dengue symptoms include fever, headache, pain behind the eyes, joint and muscle pains, tiredness – sometimes for days to weeks, rash, stomach problems, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea, cough, sore throat, and stuffy nose, small purple spots on the skin along with red-eye or swollen glands.
Symptoms usually begin days after a person is bitten by a mosquito that carries a dengue virus. However, it can be up to two weeks before symptoms begin to occur. (G4)
