In its February epidemiological update, Public Health France confirms the circulation of the disease on the territory.
The epidemiological bulletin of Public Health France of February 9 shows that dengue fever is back in Guyana.
What is dengue fever?
Dengue fever, also called “tropical flu”, is a viral disease transmitted to humans by mosquitoes of the genus Aedes, as highlighted by the‘Pastor Institute.
Transmission
The virus is transmitted by mosquito vectors. Human-to-human sexual transmission between two individuals of the same sex had been reported in Spain.
Symptoms and incubation
In most cases, the disease appears suddenly following 2 to 7 days of incubation: high fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, joint and muscle pain and rash resembling that of measles.
After 3 to 4 days, a brief remission is observed before the appearance of new symptoms: conjunctival hemorrhages, nosebleeds or bruising.
Then it takes 15 days of convalescence. Despite the symptoms, dengue fever is not considered a severe disease, except when it becomes hemorrhagic.
Indeed, the Complications can be severe or even fatal. The patient then presents in addition to a high persistent fever, multiple hemorrhages, in particular gastrointestinal, cutaneous and cerebral. In children in particular, a state of hypovolemic shock can settle with a circulatory failure which leads to abdominal pain, and which can cause the death of the patient.
Treatment
There is no specific treatment for dengue to date. Specialized intensive care is necessary for the treatment of severe dengue fever.
In case of symptoms, do not not take aspirin.
The epidemiological point
In its epidemiological bulletin, Public Health France specifies that for the moment the epidemiological situation is not alarming (sporadic cases) therefore Guyana is not in an epidemic phase.
Since the beginning of 2023, five biologically confirmed cases of dengue fever in Guyana were identified on the territory: four people were infected in Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni and one in Kourou.
Nevertheless, the strain of the virus identified is “new” on the territory, it had not circulated for 15 years.
Why is the “new” strain worried?
It should be noted that the dengue virus strains are divided into four distinct serotypes: DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3 and DENV-4. But acquired immunity to one strain is not protective once morest the others. And it’s even worse, multiple infections with different strains increase the risk of developing serious forms of the disease.
And the DENV-3 strain was identified twice out of the 5 cases, the other strains might not be serotyped. A strain that had not circulated for 15 years, so the inhabitants are unlikely to be immune to this variety.
But the health authorities specify that since the beginning of the year 2023, no case has led to hospitalization and no death has been listed.
Recommendations
ud83dudea8 Dengue is back in #Guyana
ud83dudccdKourou/Remire/Saint Laurent
This is serotype 3, which we have not seen for 15 years on the territory, which means that there is no immunity in the population.
u2139ufe0fThe mosquito that transmits dengue fever bites during the day u26c5ufe0f pic.twitter.com/BzNQLcCyFX
— ARS GUYANE (@ars_guyane) February 9, 2023
Dengue fever, chikungunya and Zika are arboviruses transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito which represents a constant threat in Guyana.
This domestic mosquito reproduces mainly in small collections of clear water, inside or around dwellings. The fight once morest dengue relies on individual and collective measures.
It is therefore recommended to destroy spawning groundsof it protect from stings and to make to screen as soon as symptoms compatible with the virus appear.
