Dengue patient recovers

The CNMI resident who contracted dengue fever—likely during a trip to Palau—has recovered with no complications, according to a Commonwealth Health Care Corp. statement.

As of now, there are no further cases of dengue fever in the CNMI.

Neighboring countries such as the Philippines, Palau, Yap in the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Marshall Islands have already declared dengue outbreaks. CHCC does not believe there is a high likelihood of an outbreak occurring in the CNMI.

Although there is no endemic source of the dengue virus in the CNMI, CHCC still urges the public to remain vigilant, and take steps to eradicate mosquito populations and prevent bites. If anyone is planning to travel to a country with a dengue fever outbreak, they must make sure to pay special attention to mosquito bite prevention, both during travel and after returning to the CNMI—for at least two weeks after returning.

The Guam Department of Public Health and Social Services reported yesterday one additional confirmed dengue case in Guam. The individual recently returned from a trip to Yap.
The DPHSS reported that there is no dengue outbreak and dengue virus transmission is not occurring on the island. It reported a total of 41 cases from 1988 to 2018.

A total of two cases have been confirmed in 2019 in Guam, both contracted from off-island. Guam will likely continue to see additional suspected and confirmed dengue fever cases this year from immigrants, migrants, and residents who travel back and forth to countries that have dengue fever outbreaks.

The CHCC approximates one in four people infected with dengue fever will get sick, and dengue is usually a mild illness that does not require hospitalization. Symptoms of dengue fever include: Sudden, high fevers, severe headaches and pain behind the eyes, severe joint and muscle pain, fatigue, nausea and vomiting, skin rashes that appear two to five days after the onset of the fever. Those who experience these symptoms, especially those who have recently returned from a country with a dengue fever outbreak must consult with a doctor right away.

Although there is a vaccine for dengue fever, it has only been approved for those who have already been infected with dengue. The best and most important dengue prevention strategy is to avoid getting bitten by mosquitoes and getting rid of mosquito populations around homes. CHCC recommends the following:

• Remove standing water sources in and around your home, including emptying buckets, tires, and other debris, and draining puddles.

• Make sure windows are tight fitting and do not have holes.

• Close up the house and use air conditioning if you have it, especially at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active.

• Use insect repellent when outside. Please be mindful to read instruction labels before using mosquito repellents, as most are not safe to use on young children. Make sure repellents are DEET 20%.

• Cover strollers and cribs with mosquito netting.

• Cover exposed skin with long sleeves, pants, and hats.

• Sleep indoors with windows closed. If you are sleeping outside or camping, use bed nets.

For more information on dengue fever, contact the CHCC Public Health and Hospital Emergency Preparedness Program at (670) 234-8950, or email the Surveillance Unit at surveillance@chcc.gov.mp.

For more information about controlling mosquito populations, contact the Bureau of Environmental Heat at (670) 664-4870/72/73, or email BEH director John Tagabuel at john.tagabuel@dph.gov.mp.