V.I. Health Department officials announced Wednesday that they had confirmed the first case of dengue fever found in the territory so far this year.
The report was made in the St. Thomas-St. John district and follow-up tests were positive for the disease, according to a departmentnews release.
Dengue fever is caused by a virus transmitted by the Aedes Aegypti mosquito and symptoms include headache, joint and muscle pain, nausea, vomiting and loss of appetite. Residents are being urged to seek immediate care if they have these symptoms.
More complicated cases can result in dengue hemorrhagic fever, characterized by a high temperature, bleeding and circulatory failure, which in rare instances may result in death, the release said.
Health will be issuing a fogging schedule later this week. In the meantime, residents are also reminded that mosquitoes carrying the virus can be found around the house.
“They hide in dark closets and sleep when we sleep and are awake when we are awake,” Health Department Epidemiologist Dr. Euguene Tull said in the release.
Increased rainfall can also make certain areas around the house a "haven for mosquito breeding," putting residents more at risk for dengue, according to Health Commissioner Julia Sheen.
"We went through both the hurricane and rainy seasons last year without a positive case of dengue being reported and with this confirmed case, we urge residents to be vigilant and help their communities and Department of Health stop the spread of dengue fever by doing basic things," she said.
Recommendations includes:
-keeping tires in a dry place ;
-making sure plants don’t continue to sit in water, but are moved frequently into empty flowerpot vases or soil;
-keeping water barrels tightly sealed;
-covering or turning pet dishes and buckets with water upside down;
– placing a screen over the overflow pipe of cisterns;
-repairing or replacing damaged screens, and keeping windows or doors with screens closed;
-covering infant cribs with mosquito nets;
-spraying dark closets often; and
-using mosquito repellents containing DEET, following instructions carefully to avoid applying to eyes, lips or bruised skin, or on children under two.
Local health care providers — including all medical agencies, clinics and private physicians territory-wide — are required to report any additional cases of dengue fever to 773-1311, Ext. 3241.
To report large pools of stagnant water, residents can also contact the Environmental Health Division on St. Croix at (340) 773-1311, Ext. 3109 and on St. Thomas at (340) 774-9000, Ext. 4641 or dial 715-5111.
