CHCC issue dengue advisory for visitors to Palau

What is dengue?

Dengue is a mosquito-borne disease similar to zika. Dengue transmission has been reported in Palau. Dengue is spread through the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito. The mosquito becomes infected with dengue virus when it bites a person who has dengue virus in their blood. The person can either have symptoms of dengue, or they may have no symptoms. After about one week, the mosquito can then transmit the virus while biting a healthy person. These mosquitos are found in Palau and in the CNMI. Therefore, if you were bitten by an infected mosquito in Palau you could unknowingly bring dengue back to the CNMI. Dengue cannot be spread directly from person to person.

What are the symptoms of Dengue?

Symptoms of dengue fever may appear between three and 14 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. Symptoms include a high fever and at least two of the following: severe headache, severe eye pain (behind eyes), joint pain, muscle and/or bone pain, rash, or mild bleeding from your nose or gums or easy bruising.

Dengue can be mild or severe and many people will be asymptomatic, that is, they do not know they have been infected (but they can still pass the infection on to others if bitten by an Aedes mosquito).

How can I protect myself against dengue?

There is no vaccine available against dengue, and no specific treatment for dengue infection. This makes prevention the most important step. Prevention means avoiding mosquito bites.

The Aedes dengue mosquitoes like to bite inside as well as around homes, during the day and night. To protect yourself, use repellent on your skin while indoors or outside. When possible, wear long sleeves and pants for additional protection. Also, make sure window and door screens are secure and without holes. Use air-conditioning. Sleep under a mosquito bed net and eliminate mosquitoes you find indoors.

What do I do if I feel unwell?

If you feel ill when you return from Palau or if you develop any of the symptoms of dengue please see your primary care health provider immediately. If you have any questions, contact the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. and ask for the director Public Health Emergency Preparedness Warren Villagomez via (670) 234-8950; or territorial epidemiologist Dr. Paul White via (670) 234-8950. (CHCC)