Public told to be cautious when traveling to Guam

CNMI residents have been advised to take precautions when traveling to Guam after the U.S. territory reported a total of 10 dengue fever cases as of last Sept. 21.

The Guam Department of Public Health and Social Services have reported a total of seven locally contracted cases of the dengue fever and have been increasing surveillance efforts in order to get rid of the possibility of any outbreaks happening.

In a statement, the Commonwealth Health Care Corp. said it is closely monitoring the situation in Guam and other Pacific areas that currently have dengue outbreaks, and urges the community to be exceptionally careful when visiting Guam, as well as other areas with dengue outbreaks.

In a separate interview, CHCC spokesperson Zoe Travis said CHCC’s Bureau of Environmental Health has conducted searches of mosquitoes on shipments arriving from Guam in order to remove any possibility of a dengue outbreak in the CNMI.

CHCC remind residents to use insect repellent and dress appropriately when outdoors to avoid getting bitten by mosquitoes while off-island and for at least two weeks after returning to the CNMI.

CHCC has reported a total of two imported cases of the dengue fever, but both cases have been confirmed under control. CHCC has conducted its usual protocols of assuring that the patient is not to be bitten by mosquitoes and have rid of the dengue fever.

Dengue does not always present its symptoms, so it is important to avoid getting bitten by mosquitoes when returning to the CNMI until there is no chance of transmission.

Guam DPHSS has reported that through the closing of business through last Saturday morning, a total of six additional cases of the dengue fever with five being locally acquired cases. DPHSS continues efforts by investigating the newly confirmed cases and identifying additional details to limit the spread of the virus with support continuing from other GovGuam agencies, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, World Health Organization, Pacific Island Health Officers Association, and local Guam health care providers.

A total of three schools cancelled classes last Monday as the DPHSS investigated one of the locally-acquired cases were in one of the three schools. The ongoing dengue fever issue in Guam has been sparking fears of an outbreak and some residents of Saipan have been advised to avoid travel to Guam in order to avoid the virus to spread.

At the request of Guam Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero, DPHSS director Linda Unpingco-Denorcey attended the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials 2019 Annual Meeting and Policy Summit. She is seeking additional resources regarding the dengue cases affecting Guam.

If you develop any fever, chills, pain behind the eyes, rashes, nausea, vomiting, or joint pain, seek immediate medical care.