Health officials confirm dengue death in SVG

Health officials have confirmed that one person has so far died from the dreaded dengue fever.{{more}}

Medical Officer of Health (MDH) Dr. Roger Duncan, in a press statement dated October 8, 2010, disclosed that a nine year old boy had succumbed to the disease on September 20.

The MOH noted that the boy died six hours after he was admitted to the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital (MCMH), on the seventh day of his illness.

According to Duncan, the risk of dengue fever being fatal increases for persons who seek medical care late, or those with underlying chronic diseases. He is reminding everyone to visit their health care provider if they experience dengue like symptoms.

Duncan used the opportunity to remind home and property owners to cooperate with the staff of the Vector Control Unit and to follow the advice given.

He reiterated that persons who persistently breed mosquitoes due to unsanitary conditions could be prosecuted, since it is an offence to do so.

“It is our aim to minimize the effect of this regional outbreak of dengue on the population of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. To achieve this we require the collective will of all the people in combating this disease,” Duncan stated.

To date, 92 persons have been confirmed to have had dengue in St. Vincent and the Grenadines with mild to moderate symptoms.

The disease, caused by the Aedes Egypti mosquito, causes its victims to experience flu like symptoms such as fever and headaches, vomiting, joint pains and a general feeling of not being well.