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DPH issues advisory on dengue fever
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Posted on Aug 04 2004
The Department of Public Health yesterday issued a public advisory warning the community of the recent outbreak of dengue fever in Palau and Yap.
According to a statement, the DPH urged returning residents, who recently traveled to Palau or Yap, to be cautioned on the symptoms that accompany fever, including headache, body aches, and possible rash.
Returning residents experiencing fever and the said symptoms within two weeks are urged to seek medical evaluation.
Also, the DPH urges the public to follow certain guidelines in hopes of protecting the community from the “increased risk of insect and rodent related infection and bacterial infection” as well.
The advisory indicated that people should avoid lowland and inland swimming holes as these areas are “likely to contain harmful bacteria levels and can pose other health risks to people frequenting them.”
Also, the DPH urges the community to remove all artificial breeding areas for mosquitoes and rodents, wear protective clothing—long sleeve pants and shirts—during dawn and dusk, and practice proper hygiene regularly.
“This information will help the community protect themselves from harmful illness and infection,” the advisory stated.
Meanwhile, the Bureau of Environmental Health would be going village to village to promote compliance to the measures.
“The BEH will also offer useful advise on how to avoid these breeding areas, and also how to properly remove harborage areas from your premises.”
For more information, contact the BEH at 664-4870/72.
