Dengue

DENGUE HEMORRHAGIC FEVER is an acute infectious disease manifested initially with fever.

Transmission

Aedes aegypti, the transmitter of the disease, is a day-biting mosquito which lays eggs in clear and stagnant water found in flower vases, cans, rain barrels, old rubber tires, etc. The adult mosquitoes rest in dark places of the house.

Signs and Symptoms

Sudden onset of high fever which may last 2 to 7 days.
Joint & muscle pain and pain behind the eyes.
Weakness
Skin rashes - maculopapular rash or red tiny spots on the skin called petechiae
Nosebleeding when fever starts to subside
Abdominal pain
Vomiting of coffee-colored matter
Dark-colored stools

Prevention and Control

Cover water drums and water pails at all times to prevent mosquitoes from breeding.
Replace water in flower vases once a week.
Clean all water containers once a week. Scrub the sides well to remove eggs of mosquitoes sticking to the sides.
Clean gutters of leaves and debris so that rain water will not collect as breeding places of mosquitoes.
Old tires used as roof support should be punctured or cut to avoid accumulation of water.
Collect and dispose all unusable tin cans, jars, bottles and other items that can collect and hold water.