Jamaica confirms report of death from dengue hemorrhagic fever

The Ministry of Health in Jamaica has confirmed the death of one person from suspected dengue hemorrhagic fever and is warning that the number of cases of mosquito-borne diseases will increase over the next two months.

The Ministry said that the death occurred in August and that the male victim came from Trelawny, a parish on the northwest of the country.

Health authorities said that so far, the number of dengue cases remains below the epidemic threshold but provided no figures.

Rare complication

Dengue hemorrhagic fever is a rare complication of dengue fever and results in internal bleeding and bleeding under the skin, which can lead to death.

The Ministry of Health said it would continue to monitor reports of mosquito-borne diseases through its national epidemiological surveillance system, adding that it has begun mosquito-control activities, including a public education campaign, home inspections, destruction of breeding sites and fogging.

Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne disease that is usually a mild illness in which a person may get a fever, headache, joint, and muscle pains and health authorities recommended treatment for the virus is acetaminophen/paracetamol.

Warning against some painkillers

“The Ministry of Health urges the public not to use aspirin, diclofenac, ibuprofen, or any of the medications/pain relievers known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs,” it said, adding that these drugs, when used to treat the fever in dengue, have been known to increase the severity of the disease.

It said that immediate medical attention should be sought once an infected person begins to vomit, have severe abdominal pain, develop a petechial rash, feel very weak, or get confused.