The prefecture, the ARS and the Association of Mayors of Guadeloupe have launched “a call for mobilization”. The DENV3 serotype of dengue raises fears of “risks of serious form” and “a high number of cases”, if “resolute control or prevention actions are not implemented”, according to their press release. According to the latest bulletin from Public Health France, the seasonal threshold for clinical cases, 80 weekly cases, is largely exceeded.
Guadeloupe is now in the dengue epidemic phase, indicate the Regional Health Agency (ARS), the Association of Mayors of Guadeloupe (AMG) and the prefecture, in a press release released yesterday (Thursday November 14, 2024), at resulting from a meeting of the management committee. The objective is to call on everyone in the archipelago to be part of the fight against this disease.
The authorities thus wanted to launch a call for the mobilization of all the actors involved in the fight: from citizens at home, to institutions welcoming the public, including health professionals and businesses, to try to minimize the impact of this disease, in the weeks to come.
Extract from the press release dated 11/154/2024.
More than in recent years, the risk of increased circulation of the disease, but also of the development of serious forms is significant. In fact, it is a serotype of the virus that has not been very present in the last twenty years in the territory which has been mainly identified this time.
Among 62 samples analyzed between the end of September and mid-October, “97% are DENV3“, according to the latest Public Health France bulletin.
ALSO READ: Dengue epidemic: be careful, the population is not immune to serotype 3, dominant in Guadeloupe! – 11/10/2024.
The seasonal threshold for clinical cases (80 weekly cases) is largely exceeded. At the end of October, it was estimated at 540 in community medicine, more than double that in September.
At the hospital, Santé Publique France noted last month “on average 40 weekly visits to the emergency room for suspected dengue fever, compared to 25 in September”.
War must therefore be declared, by everyone, on mosquitoes, vectors of dengue fever, especially as the end-of-year holidays approach and at the start of the high tourist season.
The aim is to prevent them from reproducing by eliminating all water reservoirs around homes; this is where the females lay their larvae. However, the larval breeding sites are regularly fed during this period of recurring rains.
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©ARS Guadeloupe/St-Martin/St-Barth
In the archipelago, it is also imperative to protect yourself from the bites of these harmful insects: covering clothing, mosquito nets, repellents, lotions, air conditioning… everyone can choose their own mode of operation throughout the day.
This protection is essential when affected by the disease (…). Do not hesitate to consult a doctor in the event of symptoms (fever, headache, vomiting, fatigue, pain) which persist beyond 3-4 days.
Extract from the press release dated 11/154/2024.
Self-medication is possible, by taking paracetamol, respecting the maximum daily doses (for example, 3g in adults). In all cases, aspirin is contraindicated!
