The Ministry of Health is reporting that it has confirmed one death of a patient who had contracted the severe form of dengue fever - dengue haemorrhagic fever. The death has been recorded in the parish of Manchester.

Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Sheila Campbell Forrester expressed condolences to the family members of the individual and is urging persons to be vigilant in identifying and destroying mosquito breeding sites.

“Dengue can only be transmitted when an Aedes aegypti mosquito bites an infected person and then bites another. It is therefore important that we take steps to prevent the breeding of this mosquito and protect ourselves from being bitten by mosquitoes,” she says.

She added that it is also important for persons who believe they have dengue fever to visit their health care provider. “Persons who have had dengue at least once before are susceptible to getting dengue haemorrhagic fever. It is therefore very important that persons who feel they may have this more severe form go to the nearest hospital immediately. We want to initiate early treatment so that we can have better health outcomes,” Dr. Campbell Forrester explained.

Symptoms of dengue fever include severe headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle pains, joint or bone pains, skin rash and nausea. In addition to the symptoms of dengue fever, dengue haemorrhagic fever usually presents with skin bruising, bleeding from the nose, mouth or gums, severe and continuous stomach pains, pale, cold and clammy skin, difficulty breathing, fainting and frequent vomiting.

Jamaica has now recorded 120 confirmed cases of dengue fever, including three cases of dengue haemorrhagic fever.

The Ministry continues to appeal to persons to follow the guidelines to eliminate the breeding sites for mosquitoes. Look for anything in which water can settle and either cover it, keep the area dry, clean it regularly, fill it with soil or sand, punch holes into it or recycle or dispose of it.

As much as possible, persons should avoid being bitten by mosquitoes by using insect repellent, mosquito nets, mosquito destroyers or putting screens on windows and doors.

Persons who wish to obtain more information on dengue may call the Ministry’s Emergency Operations Centre at 1888-663-5683 (1888 ONE LOVE).

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Contact: MOH, Public Relations Unit Tel: 967-1561