2023-08-27 18:00:01
Dengue is gaining ground in Guadeloupe. People with sickle cell disease are particularly susceptible to the virus. A young woman died on Saturday following being infected. In addition to individual protection once morest mosquito bites, the population has an option: to fight once morest the proliferation of these insect vectors of the virus; for this, it is necessary to remove the breeding sites, namely the smallest containers where fresh water can stagnate.
Nadine Fadel, with Mickaël Bastide and Chantal Horn • Published on August 27, 2023 at 2:00 p.m., updated on August 27, 2023 at 2:41 p.m.
Guadeloupe has entered an epidemic phase of dengue fever. The Aedes Aegypti mosquitoes, vectors of this virus, proliferate, in these times when the episodes of rain follow one another; females lay eggs in all containers and reservoirs where water stagnates.
On the health side, it is clear that the number of visits to hospital emergencies, for dengue fever syndrome, is increasing significantly, day following day.
And, sometimes, the contamination turns to tragedy. A 24-year-old woman died this weekend. This victim had sickle cell disease.
This death provokes the deep sadness, even the anger of Marie-France Tirolien. The president of the association Guadeloupe espoir drépanocytose (GED) has been fighting since 2009 to raise awareness of this disease and its consequences. She claims that people with sickle cell disease are more susceptible to the dengue virus, as to other infections for that matter. Hence his wish to sound the alarm.
We suggest that you listen carefully to its warning message.
The sickle cell patient, when he catches an infection, he must react immediately. He must go see a doctor and, if it’s more serious, go to the hospital, if he has a fever, if he has a headache… he mustn’t hang around!
Marie-France Tirolien, president of the GED association
Dengue fever and death of a sickle cell patient: Marie-France Tirolien’s cry of alarm • ©Mickaël Bastide and Christian Danquin – Guadeloupe La 1ère
Guadeloupe has around 1,400 sickle cell sufferers. These are people who must be monitored medically. A specific care center exists on the territory, at the Ricou hospital, the Pointois site of the University Hospital Center (CHU).
These patients need regular blood transfusions to live better.
In this context of dengue epidemic, the prevention messages are reiterated by the Regional Health Agency (ARS) and the prefecture.
ARS vector control agents continue to identify and treat breeding sites, particularly in the homes of confirmed cases. They also do local communication and remind everyone that everyone can contribute to this fight.
We are concentrating our efforts around confirmed cases and, therefore, we visit their homes as a priority, to ensure that they apply the recommendations. That is to say, people currently affected by dengue must absolutely avoid being bitten by mosquitoes. These are the people who can transmit the virus to mosquitoes and cause the chain of transmission to continue. It is absolutely necessary to break the chains of transmission. Hence our focus on sick people.
Patrick Saint-Martin, director of health security at the ARS
The ARS works in close collaboration with the laboratories and, when your doctor has prescribed the test for you and you go to the laboratory for the biological confirmation of the test, these agents can access your address, come to meet you, provide you with the right advice and ensure that mosquito hunting is as effective as possible, at home.
All of Guadeloupe is affected by the epidemic. Two municipalities are particularly monitored: Saint-François and Trois-Rivières.
But the spread of the virus is quite general. Rare are the municipalities where we do not identify cases. So all municipalities are globally concerned. The mobilization must concern the entire population.
Patrick Saint-Martin, director of health security at the ARS
Severe forms of dengue should be monitored.
A serious form is a symptomatology that lasts beyond 4 to 5 days without any sign of improvement. In these cases, you must be particularly vigilant, do not hesitate to consult a doctor or call 15, for the most appropriate measures.
Patrick Saint-Martin, director of health security at the ARS
“Most of the time the mosquito that bites you is born in your home”is it constantly explained.
The mosquito does not travel much. The one that stings us is born closest to the house, either in the immediate surroundings or inside the house. When our teams intervene, the mosquito breeding grounds are very often inside or outside, in the immediate vicinity.
Patrick Saint-Martin, director of health security at the ARS
One week before the start of the school year, ARS vector control agents are also focused in schools.
Now that you have carefully read this article, what if you took a tour of your habitat in search of a possible breeding ground, in order to eliminate it?!
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