The Bureau of Public Health (BOG) has recently seen an increase in the number of positive laboratory confirmed dengue cases in Suriname. The positive cases are particularly noticeable in Paramaribo North and Kwatta.
The dengue virus is the causative agent of dengue fever (DFF) also known as dengue fever, hemorrhagic fever and dengue shock syndrome (DSS). DHF and DSS are two forms of severe dengue. The virus is transmitted by mosquitoes that bite during the day.
The incubation period for the dengue virus is between 3-14 days (usually 4-7), following a bite from an infected mosquito. The majority of dengue virus infections are without symptoms. Non-severe dengue virus infections are characterized by the following symptoms:
- Sudden onset fever (up to 41°C) with chills;
- Headaches, especially behind the eyes
- Muscle and joint pain;
- Algehele malaise;
- Nausea;
- Vomit;
- Cough;
- Sore throat.
If you experience these complaints, it is necessary to go to the doctor! If symptoms get worse, see a doctor right away. If you have contracted dengue, you can prevent others from being infected by (still) using anti-mosquito products yourself (lotion, gel or spray), wearing covering clothing and also sleeping under the mosquito net during the day.
Non-severe dengue virus infections recover after a few days to a week. People can get dengue multiple times.
The best way to prevent dengue is to clear breeding grounds and cover water supplies (this includes all water-containing objects such as vases, flower pot coasters, fountains, car tires, broken gutters, old washing machines, and the like) and make sure that one is not stung by mosquitoes (sleeping under a mosquito net).
The Ministry of Health and the BOG are closely monitoring the situation to prevent a dengue epidemic.
