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Presently within our 83000 square miles, we are registering an outbreak of dengue, in which 11 have unfortunately died, along with 239 hospitalised. Which means, with such unexpected mortalities, incumbent we must delve into the clinical presentations of this mostly harmless condition.
Dengue and transmission
Dengue, also known as dengue fever, is a viral infection transmitted by the Aedes Aegypti mosquito. Which like most viral illnesses, follows a harmless course, with most afflicted having a natural recovery. However, unlike the vast majority that have mild symptoms, a small, infected minority may experience a more severe illness.
Moreover, the virus is transmitted to humans through the bites of infected female Aedes Aegypti mosquitoes. Additionally, there is evidence of maternal transmission (from a pregnant mother to her baby). However, the chance of this form of transmission is low, with the risk seemingly linked to the timing of the dengue infection during the pregnancy. Then more rarely, is transmission via blood products, organ donation and transfusions.
Symptoms
Truth be told, Dengue is mostly asymptomatic, however if one develops symptoms, they usually present 4 to 10 days subsequent to being bitten by an infected mosquito. And having been infected, the eventuating symptoms, mirror that of the common flu;
- Fever
- Severe headache
- Pain behind the eyes
- Muscle and joint pain
- Vomiting
- Swollen glands
- A blotchy rash affecting large areas of the body
Severe dengue
However, rarely some people may develop a more severe dengue, which may require hospitalisation. Where the clinical course is one of initially appearing to have recovered, with temperatures normalising, only to relapse within 48hrs later, with generalised bleeding from the gums and bowels. And it’s for this bleeding predisposition that this form of severe dengue, is known as dengue haemorrhagic fever. Where some of the more serious symptoms are;
- Severe tummy pain; bleeding in the bowels
- Vomiting
- Shortness of breath
- Bleeding from gums or nose
- Fatigue
- Restlessness
- Blood in the vomit or poo; bleeding in the bowels
Treatments for dengue
The reality is, most people with dengue are asymptomatic, or if they develop symptoms, recovery is within a few days. However, if one is symptomatic, treatment is usually symptoms based, since there isn’t a cure. Where some of the symptomatic relieving treatments include,
- Resting
- Drinking plenty of fluids for hydration.
- Taking paracetamol for fever and pain.
- AVOID anti-inflammatory painkillers like ibuprofen or aspirin, since they can cause bleeding problems.
Prevention
Vaccination with Dengvaxia is indicated for people who have had dengue at least once and live in places where the disease is common. Moreover, the at-risk groups is similar to that of Covid;
- The very young
- The over 65
- The pregnant
- Those with weakened immune system
Thus, in the absence of cure, the logical priority should be avoiding mosquito bites, through following precautions.
- Wear long-sleeved clothing and trousers to cover ones arms and legs, particularly during early morning and early evening, when the Aedes Aegypti mosquitoes are out.
- Use insect repellent on the skin (ideally one that contains the ingredient DEET).
- Close windows and doors whenever possible, or use blinds or screens.
- Sleep under a mosquito net treated with insecticide, including during the day.
Mark’s Take
Thus, we are reminded, the number one responsibility of any government, elected or installed, is the protection of the masses. However, the reality is, PPP as a regime, is spectacularly failing at this. For dengue cannot be transmitted to the level of an outbreak, in the absence of the Aedes Aegypti mosquitoes. But unfortunately, as evidenced with Covid, PPP careless about our wellbeing, even as Aedes Aegypti among other vermin are exponentially reproducing.
Where the underpinning reason for these mosquitoes exponentially reproduction is, PPP suffocating the City Council of the necessary funds to clean the City, even as their business associates are recalcitrant in paying the billions owed in taxes. And it’s for this lack of funds, that drains and trenches aren’t cleared, even as sidewalks and cemeteries have evolved into jungles. As a result, the consequential stagnated waters and jungled bushes, serve as a fertile breeding ground for mosquitoes, hence the outbreak we are experiencing.
Notwithstanding, as it pertains to PPP financially suffocating the City Council, dengue of 3453 infected, remains a major part of our worries. However, unfortunately not only are mosquitoes multiplying in our stagnated trenches, jungled cemeteries, and uncollected garbage. For along with the reproducing mosquitoes, PPP is providing fertile grounds for replicating rodents, snakes, alligators, killer bacteria, Africanised bees et al. And with these we have much more deadly outbreaks e.g leptospirosis, awaiting us.
