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Dengue scare over for the Marianas
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Posted on Dec 16 2019
The dengue scare is nearly over for the Marianas.
The Pacific Epidemic and Emerging Disease Alert has reported a de-escalation—or fewer numbers—of dengue cases in the Pacific in the past few weeks. That means lesser chances of the disease cropping up in the CNMI.
Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. spokesperson Zoe Travis said as much, saying that the last reported case of dengue fever in the region was last Nov. 11. As of Nov. 26, dengue cases have now decreased in the Marianas, she added.
“There has been a de-escalation of dengue cases reported in Guam for the past few weeks. Nov. 26 was the last update, the last local case was on Nov. 11,” she said.
The red alert for dengue in the Marianas has since been changed to a blue alert, which means the epidemic in the region is decreasing.
“We’re looking pretty good,” she said,
Travis also mentioned since the Marianas is transitioning into the dry season, dengue transmission will be more difficult.
“We’re entering the dry season, which will make dengue transmission [more] difficult, although it’s never going to be zero here on the tropical islands,” she said.
According to Saipan Tribune archives, CHCC received its first case of dengue back in August from a patient who returned from an off-island trip and contracted the disease in Palau. Their second case was seen in early September with another patient who also returned Palau.
Although there is a vaccine for dengue fever, it has only been approved for those who have already been infected with dengue.
