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The Virgin Islands Department of Health (D.O.H.) reported Tuesday that laboratory-confirmed cases of dengue have been detected in the territory.
At this point the number of detected cases is low, but conditions are favorable for an outbreak, Territorial Epidemiologist Dr. Esther Ellis said.
Ms. Ellis added that it is possible more dengue than currently detected is occurring in the territory because not all those infected get tested or seek care.
The Health Department is currently testing approximately 50 samples a week for dengue, Chikungunya and Zika.
Dengue is spread primarily through the bite of an infected Aedes species (Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus) mosquito. The most common symptoms are fever, rash, joint pain, or red eyes.
Other common symptoms include muscle pain and headache. Many people might not realize that they have been infected with the virus, as symptoms can be mild, lasting for several days to a week after being bitten by an infected mosquito. Others may be infected and have no symptoms.
The D.O.H. urges the public to stay vigilant to mosquito control and protection measures.
The department offers free testing for mosquito viruses including dengue. If you suspect you might have dengue, see your doctor and they can submit a sample and suspect case notification to D.O.H. for laboratory testing.
The Dept. of Health urged providers to be on the lookout for additional possible dengue cases.
Residents are advised to take measures to ensure there are no mosquito breeding sites around their homes by removing debris and draining excess water from plant pots.
There are simple steps everyone can take to protect themselves and their families from dengue and other mosquito-borne viruses by following the 4 D’s of prevention:
- Dress – wear protective clothing – long sleeves, long pants and light colors
- Drain – get rid of water containers in and around your home that can serve as breeding places for mosquitoes
- Defend – use repellent on exposed skin and treat clothes with one of several EPA-approved repellents
- Discuss – spread the word about the simple things you can do to make a difference
For local information about the Dengue virus or to receive any of the Department of Health’s free services, call the Department of Health Epidemiology Division at (340) 718-1311 or visit www.doh.vi.gov and our Facebook page,www.facebook.com/virginislandsDOH.
For more general information about the Dengue virus call toll free: 1-800-CDC-INFO.
