Officials were tight-lipped regarding the death, refusing to release details on the sex of the individual or the victim’s identity.
Minister of Health Dr. Marcus Bethel told reporters at his Meeting Street office today that to date there have been 130 cases of dengue fever reported to the Department of Public Health, but, as mentioned, there have only been 25 confirmed cases.
He said dengue virus activity was reported in The Bahamas in early September, with an increasing number of cases the first two weeks of October, 2003.
“The Ministry of Health wishes to advise the public that we are experiencing an outbreak of dengue fever,” Dr. Bethel announced.
Public Health Director Dr. Baldwin Carey, who also attended this morning’s press conference, revealed that the more dangerous form of the virus is present in the country.
“We have issued an instruction to all physicians in the country as to the types of patients with symptoms that we would wish to have blood tests drawn on,” Dr. Carey said.
Dr. Bethel advised the community to take specific precautions to prevent mosquito bites and to remove all potential breeding sites for mosquitoes.
“The Department of Environmental Health is increasing its vector control activities to prevent further spread of the virus,” he said. “The community is advised that any signs of symptoms must be reported to the Department of Public Health and seek medical advice.”
The illness, a mosquito borne infection that sometimes has potentially deadly complications, starts with a sudden fever, headache, eye pain and muscle weakness and could progress to bleeding disorders, according to authorities.
Infected Aedes Aegypti mosquitoes transmit the viral illness through their bites.
Right now, there is no known way to prevent the disease other than controlling any possible mosquito breeding sites which is why the Public Health Department recently issued its advisory.
Dr. Imana Mohammed, an epidemiologist at the Department of Public Health, recently advised the public to prevent breeding sites for mosquitoes by doing such things as emptying garbage and containers.
While public health officials have increased their surveillance and vector control activities, the precautions are not only for dengue fever, but also for the West Nile Virus.
Dr. Carey acknowledged recently that there were increasing reports from the Family Islands about dead birds lying around. Dead birds may be a sign that West Nile Virus is circulating between birds and the mosquitoes in an area.
Over 130 species of birds are known to have been infected with the virus, though not all infected birds will die.
The earliest symptoms of this viral illness include fever, headache, rash, swollen glands, joint pain and muscle weakness. Residents and visitors alike are being warned to protect themselves from these mosquito-carrying diseases.
By Yvette Rolle-Major, The Bahama Journal
