Dengue is a killer, but it is not contagious

Dengue fever is a disease caused by a family of viruses transmitted by mosquitoes.

It is an acute illness of sudden onset that usually follows symptoms such as headache, fever, exhaustion, severe muscle and joint pain, swollen glands, and rash. Other signs of dengue fever include bleeding gums, severe pain behind the eyes, and red palms and soles.

Dengue strikes people with low levels of immunity and it is possible to get dengue fever multiple times.

People get the virus from the bite of a striped Aedes aegypti mosquito that has previously bitten an infected person.

The mosquito flourishes during rainy seasons but can breed in water-filled flower pots, plastic bags, and cans year-round.

One mosquito bite can inflict the disease. The virus is not contagious and cannot be spread directly from person to person. There must be a person-to-mosquito-to-another-person pathway.

The Trinidad and Tobago Minister of Health has guidelines for prevention which include:

• disposal of all unwanted containers in the yard or environs which when exposed to the rain can collect water e.g. styrotex cups, bottles, old tyres;
• covering of all water-containing containers such as barrels, drums or buckets with a mosquito-proof covering;
• checking your guttering and making sure that the water flows freely without any obstruction by leaves or branches, and guttering is free from any kinks.
• emptying the pan under the refrigerator which can collect water;
• emptying and scrubbing the sides of water vases or using dirt or sand instead to support the flowers;
• ensuring that the drains in your compound allow the free flow of water.

The ministry has advised citizens of Trinidad and Tobago to report mosquito infestation by calling the local Insect Vector Control centre at 663 2281 or by sending an email to the Ministry at corpcomm@health.gov.tt.